Malaysia's construction activity rose 8.8% year over year in the second quarter of 2026, picking up from an 8.5% increase in the first quarter, according to data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia on Thursday.
The latest reading far exceeded the Trading Economics forecast for a 4% growth.
The performance was mainly driven by continued expansion in special trade activities and non-residential buildings, which grew 17.6% and 13.3%, respectively.
Residential buildings increased 8.7%, while civil engineering activity rose 2.7%, data showed.