KUALA LUMPUR (Aug 29): The Producer Price Index (PPI) for local production decreased 2.2 per cent in July 2019 compared with the same month of the preceding year, said Chief Statistician Malaysia Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin.

He said the mining index showed the highest decline at 9.9 per cent, followed by agriculture, forestry and fishing (-6.5 per cent), water supply (-2.8 per cent), and manufacturing (-0.9 per cent) indices.

"However, the index of electricity and gas supply edged up by 1.5 per cent," he said in a statement.

He said the PPI for local production declined 0.1 per cent in July 2019 compared with the previous month.

The index of mining registered the highest rate of decline at 1.2 per cent, followed by water supply (-0.4 per cent) and manufacturing (-0.1 per cent) indices.

In contrast, agriculture, forestry and fishing, and electricity and gas supply indices increased 1.3 per cent and 0.2 per cent, respectively.

The PPI for local production for the period January-July 2019 registered a decrease of 2.0 per cent from the same period last year.

The chief statistician stated that in July 2019, the PPI for local production by stage of processing (SOP) declined 2.2 per cent.

The decrease was attributed by crude materials for further processing (-7.7 per cent) and intermediate materials, supplies and components (-1.8 per cent) indices. Conversely, the index of finished goods rose 1.3 per cent.

On a monthly basis, the PPI for local production by SOP for July 2019 decreased 0.1 per cent. This was due to the index of crude materials for further processing (-0.7 per cent).

On the other hand, the index of intermediate materials, supplies and components increased 0.1 per cent, while the finished goods index was unchanged.