Kuala lumpur: The unit price index of steel saw a minor decline in July 2025, ranging from -0.2 per cent to -3.5 per cent compared to the preceding month.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported these figures, highlighting the notable decrease in specific regions.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin explained that the most significant reduction was observed in Kuching with a decline of -3.5 per cent, followed by Sibu with -1.5 per cent, and the areas of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan each experiencing a decrease of -0.8 per cent. In contrast, a slight uptick in steel prices was recorded in Perak, where the index rose by 1.2 per cent, and smaller increases were noted in Terengganu and Kelantan at 0.3 per cent.

Furthermore, the unit price index for steel and metal sections showed a modest rise in July 2025, with a month-on-month change ranging from 0.2 per cent to 0.5 per cent. Conversely, the unit price index of cement remained static when compared to the previous month.

The unit price index for sand also showed stability across most parts of Peninsular Malaysia, with a minor exception in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan, where a slight increase of 0.1 per cent was recorded. In Sabah and Sarawak, the index rose between 0.1 per cent to 0.5 per cent, with the highest increase taking place in Kota Kinabalu at 0.5 per cent, followed by Tawau and Kuching, both at 0.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, the average price per unit of steel, which includes mild steel round bars and Mycon 60 high tensile deformed bars, experienced a slight increase of 0.2 per cent, reaching RM3,488.65 per tonne, up from RM3,480.10 in June 2025. However, the average price of ordinary Portland cement remained unchanged at RM23.80 per 50 kg bag.

DOSM’s report also noted that the Building Material Cost Index (BCI) with steel bars, analyzed by building categories and area in Peninsular Malaysia, rose between 0.1 per cent and 3.5 per cent in July 2025. This increase was observed across all building categories except in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan.