KUALA LUMPUR (May 30): The Producer Price Index (PPI) for local production fell 1.4% year-on-year in April, on the back of decreases in the agriculture, forestry and fishing (-11.9%), water supply (-2.6%), and manufacturing (-0.8%) sectors.

In a statement today, the Department of Statistics Malaysia said the indexes of electricity and gas supply, and mining increased 1.5% and 1.4% respectively.

It said as compared to the previous month, the PPI for local production rose 0.6% in April 2019.

The department added the increase was contributed by the mining (+6.9%), agriculture, forestry and fishing (+1.0%), and water supply (+0.1%) indexes.

Meanwhile, it said the electricity and gas supply, and manufacturing indexes dropped by 0.8% and 0.2% respectively.

"PPI local production for the period of January-April 2019 registered a decrease of 2.0% as compared to the same period last year," it said.

Chief statistician Datuk Sri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in April 2019, the PPI local production at all stage of processing (SOP) showed a decline as compared to the same month last year.

He said it was contributed by the intermediate materials, supplies and components (-1.8%), crude materials for further processing (-1.5%), and finished goods (-0.4%) indexes.

"On monthly basis, the PPI local production by SOP for April 2019 increased 0.6%, which was contributed by crude materials for further processing (+4.0%).

"On the other hand, intermediate materials, supplies and components, and finished goods declined 0.3% and 0.3% respectively," he said.