Services sectors average revenue falls nearly 40 per cent during MCO - DOSM

The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) said the wholesale and retail trade subsector, which posted the highest revenue at RM63.5 billion, saw a 36.6 per cent slump.

"Wholesale trade is expected to record revenue of RM34.77 billion or a 28.2 per cent drop, followed by retail (RM27.76 billion, -32.4 per cent) and motor vehicles (RM0.97 billion, -90.9 per cent)," the department said in a newsletter focusing on the MCO's impact on the services sector.

Meanwhile, the transport and storage subsector posted RM2.66 billion in revenue, a sharp fall of 69.9 per cent.

The services subsectors that suffered the largest percentage drop were the arts, entertainment and recreation segment (RM0.75 million or a decline of over 90 per cent) and food and beverages (RM0.80 billion, -86.4 per cent).

During the MCO period spanning March 18-April 28, all services subsectors recorded less revenue except for information and communications, which reaped RM11.92 billion or an increase of 2.0 per cent, DOSM said.

The department noted that during the first two phases of the MCO (up to April 14), services subsectors that were allowed to operate were information and communications, transport and storage, financial, health, food and beverages, accommodation, wholesale and retail trade, and utilities.

For phase three, the government allowed several more economic activities to operate.

DOSM pointed out that in Malaysia, the services sector was the largest economic sector. It contributed RM771.9 billion or 56.7 per cent of the gross domestic product in 2018.

During the MCO period, only essential services were permitted to operate.

"The closure of a large portion of the premises in the private sector has affected the country's economy," DOSM said.