19/05/2025

BIZ & FINANCE MONDAY | MAY 19, 2025

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Malaysia’s Q1 GDP growth propelled by March’s 6% spurt

that critical thinking, is still human. What we need now are new skill sets and high-level thinking,” he said. Highlighting a recent incident involving an AI-generated version of the Jalur Gemilang , Zurkarnain underscored the importance of human oversight in ensuring the accuracy and appropriateness of AI outputs. “It’s not only about cybersecurity but also about verifying the output that AI delivers. You still need humans to check whether it is correct,” he said. Both Sim and Zurkarnain expressed a similar view that rather than posing a threat to employment, AI presents an opportunity for the Malaysian workforce to upskill and adapt to the changing technological landscape. – Bernama China’s Trensor invests RM100m in first overseas plant in Penang KEPALA BATAS: Trensor Co Ltd, a Chinese manufacturer of pressure sensors, is investing RM100 million to build its first overseas manufacturing facility at the Penang Technology Park in Bertam here. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the upcoming four-storey facility, spanning 10,000 square metres, is expected to create 200 skilled jobs and generate over RM200 million in annual sales. “One year ago, I was visited by Trensor’s management team at my office, shortly after they decided to establish their first overseas factory in Penang. Today (Saturday), we gather to witness that strategy taking shape and becoming a concrete reality,“ he said in his speech at the groundbreaking ceremony on Saturday. Trensor is one of China’s leading manufacturers of pressure sensors, specialising in automotive pressure sensors through its Malaysia-based subsidiary, Trensor Electronics Sdn Bhd. Also present at the ceremony were State Executive Councillor for Local Government, Town and Country Planning Hong Mooi Lye, Trensor chairman Zhou Jingxun, and Trensor Electronics general manager Stephen Zhou Wenbo. Chow noted that Trensor Electronics, established in 2024, focuses on the manufacture of pressure sensors, a critical component in automotive electronics, and will support Trensor’s expansion into Southeast Asia’s growing automotive markets and beyond. “It will focus on the production of automotive pressure sensors for export to markets such as North America and Europe,“ he added. He said the investment will strengthen Penang’s electrical and electronics (E&E) industry ecosystem, further anchoring the state as a hub for precision engi neering, automotive electronics, and high-value manufacturing. Meanwhile, he highlighted that the global semiconductor industry remains a key driver of technological advancement, with demand fuelled by innovations in artificial intelligence, 5G, electric vehicles, and the Internet of Things. He said despite ongoing geopolitical developments, the sector is still expected to grow in the long term, with estimates suggest the global semicon ductor market value could reach US$1 trillion (RM4.3 trillion) by 2030. The chief minister stressed that Penang continues to play an important role in Malaysia’s E&E industry. - Bernama

o Economy’s expansion in first quarter supported by steady performance in services, manufacturing and construction sectors PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 4.4% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to 4.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to the Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted, Q1 2025 GDP rebounded to 0.7% (Q4 2024: -0.2%). The monthly economic performance grew by 3.5% and 3.6% in January and February, respectively, before accelerating to 6% in March. Chief Statistician Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said, “This quarter’s economic expansion was supported by steady performance on the supply side, notably in the services, manufacturing and construction sectors. This reflects a healthy pace of domestic production and a well-diversified industrial base despite global challenges. “On the demand side, consumer and business sentiment remained positive, with spending boosted by festive celebrations, travel activities and ongoing investments, particularly in construction-related projects. The salary increment for civil servant under Sistem Saraan Perkhidmatan Awam along with the rollout of the first phase of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah further supported the overall economic momentum.” In terms of sectoral performance, the services sector expanded by 5% in the first quarter of 2025 (Q4 2024: 5.5%), driven by the wholesale and retail trade sub-sector at 4.3%. This growth was underpinned by increases in the wholesale (5.4%) and retail (5.2%) segments, while motor vehicles declined (-3.7%) in this quarter. Furthermore, transportation and storage and business services sub-sectors demonstrated strong growth of 9.5% and 7.7%, respectively, benefiting from continued demand in freight segments as well as professional and business support services. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted basis, services grew by 0.7% (Q4 2024: 0.3%). The manufacturing sector moderated to 4.1% (Q4 2024: 4.2%) in the first quarter of 2025, supported by sustained external demand for electrical and electronic products, emphasising the country’s strategic role in global supply chains. Nonetheless, domestic-oriented industries softened, influenced by the transport equipment, other manufacturing and repair following lower production in motor vehicles and transport equipment. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally

2024: -0.7%), attributed to strong performance in the marine fishing sub-sector at 10.3%. The mining and quarrying sector declined further in the first quarter to -2.7% (Q4 2024: - 0.7%), influenced by contractions in the natural gas and crude oil and condensate sub-sectors at -2.2% and -4.6%, respectively. In terms of quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted, this sector posted a decline of -1.9%, reversing from 4% growth recorded in the previous quarter. Mohd Uzir said, “Private final consumption expenditure grew by 5%, easing slightly from 5.3% in the preceding quarter. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted basis, private final consumption expenditure rose by 1.5% (Q4 2024: 0.9%).”

adjusted basis, the manufacturing sector increased by 1.4% (Q4 2024: -1.2%). The construction sector grew by 14.2% (Q4 2024: 20.7%), marking its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. The sector’s robust performance was led by non-residential buildings, which surged by 21.4%, spurred by data centre projects particularly in Johor and industrial facilities such as factories. This was followed by specialised construction activities (17.2%), residential buildings (16.6%) and civil engineering (5.2%). Quarter-on-quarter seasonally adjusted, this sector increased by 1.1% (Q4 2024: -0.2%). The agriculture sector rebounded to 0.6% (Q4 could be inappropriate or misleading ... human oversight is still very much needed as this is what humans do best,” she said as a panellist on a forum titled “The Future of Connectivity: Advancing Digital Inclusion Through Trans formative Technologies” here on Saturday. The forum was organised by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in conjunction with World Telecom munication and Information Society Day 2025. Sim also noted that the proliferation of AI technologies introduces new risks, thereby increasing the demand for cybersecurity professionals. “When it comes to AI, everyone connects to every information, be it good or bad. That is why

AI lacks nuanced judgment, humans still irreplaceable: Experts CYBERJAYA: Artificial Intelligence (AI) lacks critical thinking and nuanced judgment, thus making humans irreplaceable in the workforce, according to industry experts. cybersecurity is now more important than ever to ensure the information is not polluted or something others shouldn’t see,” she said.

MCMC deputy managing director Datuk Zurkarnain Mohd Yasin, another panellist at the forum, echoed Sim’s views, saying that AI should be seen as a facilitator rather than a replacement. “AI is just a product. It efficiently assembles information. But AI cannot innovate, only humans can. This is why we need more innovators in cybersecurity because threat actors are constantly evolving,” he said. Zurkarnain stressed that while AI can assist in predictive analysis, human intelligence is still needed to guide and prompt AI systems effectively. “AI needs to be prompted. So that innovation,

BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence technical training senior manager Jaclyn Sim explained that while AI is capable of taking over repetitive tasks, it lacks the creative and analytical abilities that are unique to humans. “Think of AI as just another human that can work 24/7. However, what we want AI to help us with are repetitive tasks, the things we do every day that are the same. We as humans want to do something more creative, more analytical. “Human judgment remains crucial, parti cularly in areas where AI-generated content