KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian manufacturing sector recorded weaker operating conditions in November on the back of production and new orders.
According to the headline Nikkei Malaysia Purchasing Managers' Index, new orders dipped at a 'series record' pace.
Employment and buying activity also declined.
Both input and output prices rose at marked rates as reports of higher raw material costs led to an increase in cost burdens.
The headline Nikkei Malaysia, a composite single figure indicator of manufacturing performance recorded 47.0 in November, down from 48.1 in October and signalled the sharpest rate of deterioration in operating conditions at Malaysian manufacturing since the survey began in July 2012.
Amy Brownbill, economist at Markit said the latest survey data pointed to a sharp deterioration in manufacturing conditions in Malaysia.
"On a positive note, international demand rose as new export orders increased for the third month in a row."