Malaysia's GDP growth set to slow to 4.5 percent

The World Bank has projected that Malaysia's gross domestic product (GDP) would ease to 4.5 percent in 2016, from 4.7 percent this year, reflecting "some slowdown in domestic demand in the course of 2015 from tighter fiscal conditions".

In a statement to mark the launch of the Malaysia Economic Monitor on Friday, the international financial body said overall, domestic demand was projected to grow and would remain the main driver of growth "in a context of soft global demand", Channel News Asia reported.

The December 2015 edition of the Malaysia Economic Monitor focused on the role of immigrant labour, suggesting a 10 percent net increase of low-skilled foreign workers might boost Malaysia's real GDP by up to 1.1 percent.

It is estimated that there are 2.1 million registered immigrants in Malaysia, with likely over one million who are undocumented.

World Bank Country Director for Malaysia and Southeast Asia Ulrich Zacau said strengthened immigration policies and management were needed to tap into the potential.

"Immigrant labour can bring critical skills and help Malaysia become a high-income inclusive economy," he said.

The report suggested that up to five new jobs might be created for Malaysians in a given state and sector, two of them female, for every 10 new immigrants workers in that state and sector.

The report also noted that "with slower growth and falling oil revenues, a focus on the quality of public expenditure will be an important priority for Malaysia".