KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 12): Malaysia's industrial production index (IPI) grew 3% in August from a year earlier, buoyed by manufacturing and electricity output, the Statistics Department said today.

In a statement, the department said manufacturing output grew 4.3% while mining output fell 3.4%.

Manufacturing output expanded on higher production of items including electrical and electronics, food and beverages besides tobacco products.

Mining output decreased due to contraction in natural gas production although crude oil output rose.

Year-to-date, Malaysia's IPI grew 5.1% compared with the previous corresponding period, supported by an increase in all three components of the index.

On a month-on-month basis, August IPI contracted 0.9% on a 10.2% decline in mining output.

August IPI's 3% on-year growth compared to the 6.1% increase in July.