Miri: The unit price index of steel experienced a notable decrease across most parts of Malaysia in May 2025, with reductions ranging from negative 0.1 per cent to negative 3.1 per cent compared to the previous month. This information was released by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the unit price index of this material has seen a decline for five consecutive months. Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin highlighted that the most significant decrease occurred in Miri at negative 3.1 per cent, followed by Tawau at negative 2.4 per cent, and in the regions of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan at negative 2.3 per cent.
The report further detailed that the unit price index of steel and metal sections showed declines between negative 0.1 per cent and negative 3.5 per cent in May 2025 compared to the previous month. Miri again recorded the highest decrease at negative 3.5 per cent, followed by Pulau Pinang, Kedah, and Perlis at negative 1.2 per cent.
Meanwhile, the DOSM reported stability in the price index per unit of cement in most areas of Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, and Sarawak, with slight increases noted in regions such as Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan at 0.4 per cent, and Pulau Pinang, Kedah, and Perlis at 0.3 per cent.
An annual comparison between May 2024 and May 2025 indicated that the unit price index of cement rose by between 0.1 per cent and 3.5 per cent in nearly all areas of Malaysia. Johor and Tawau, Sabah recorded the highest increase at 3.5 per cent, followed by Pahang at 3.3 per cent. The average price of Ordinary Portland cement also showed a slight increase of 0.2 per cent, priced at RM23.75 per 50 kg bag, compared to RM23.70 in April 2025.
Conversely, the annual comparison of the unit price index of steel revealed a decrease ranging from negative 2.2 per cent to negative 15.5 per cent in May 2025 compared to the same month last year across most Malaysian regions. The average price per unit of steel, including mild steel round bars and Mycon 60 high-tensile deformed bars, decreased by negative 0.4 per cent, with an average price of RM3,476.75 per tonne in May 2025, compared to RM3,490.80 per tonne in the previous month.
The department also noted a decrease in the Building Material Cost Index (BCI) with steel bars for all building categories in Peninsular Malaysia, ranging from negative 0.1 per cent to negative 0.9 per cent in May 2025, compared to the previous month. The decrease was observed across almost all building categories, excluding Perak.