Malaysia's factory output slump continues its run amid rising costs

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIAN manufacturers are not in a good place.

For nearly two years now, they have been hit by slumping demand, which has depressed production. And their burden has become heavier from the higher materials costs stemming from the weak ringgit.

Add to that the annual levy on foreign workers, which could bump labour costs by up to a fifth.

The Nikkei Malaysia Manufacturing purchasing managers' index (PMI) came in at 47.1 in December - the same readin…