KUALA LUMPUR, July 1 — Malaysia’s May exports probably fell due to slow demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and manufactured exports, a Reuters poll showed.

Exports are expected to fall 8.9 per cent from a year earlier, also weighed down by lower commodity prices, analysts said, adding that this downtrend is likely to continue.

May’s imports are predicted to decline by 8.7 per cent due to weak domestic demand. Analysts expect consumers to hold back on spending in the next quarter following the start of a consumption tax in April.

The country’s trade surplus in May was forecast at RM5.5 billion (US$1.47 billion), down from RM6.9 billion in April. — Reuters