KUALA LUMPUR, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's exports surged 45.3 percent year-on-year to a record 184 billion ringgit (about 44.41 billion U.S. dollars), surpassing the previous high set in April 2026 and marking the fastest growth since August 2022, official data showed Friday.
Electrical and electronics (E&E) products remained the main driver, rising by 38 billion ringgit to a new peak, supported by strong demand for artificial intelligence (AI)-related and automotive technologies, the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) said in a statement.
Export growth was also underpinned by higher shipments of petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and optical and scientific equipment.
Total trade rose 29.8 percent year-on-year to 327.63 billion ringgit, the fastest pace in 44 months, while imports grew 14.1 percent to 143.62 billion ringgit. The trade surplus widened to a record 40.38 billion ringgit.
"Amid heightened global uncertainties in international trade, Malaysia's trade performance remained resilient, with E&E products continuing to be the primary driver of growth," said the MITI.
For January to May 2026, Malaysia's trade rose 18.3 percent to 1.46 trillion ringgit, with exports up 24.3 percent and imports rising 11.8 percent, resulting in a record surplus of 132.77 billion ringgit. (1 ringgit equals 0.24 U.S. dollars) ■
