The weakness was in the aerospace segment, which fell to minus 0.1 per cent in November, from an expansion of 17.1 per cent in October, while the land segment continued to struggle as it contracted 15.3 per cent despite a small improvement.
In comparison, the marine and offshore engineering segment expanded 27.9 per cent, supported by a higher level of activity in the shipyards, as well as increased production in oil and gas field equipment.
General manufacturing also slowed, posting a 3.2 per cent growth in November from a year ago.
The food, beverages and tobacco segment was buoyant, growing 12.4 per cent, largely due to more beverages produced. But this was offset by continued weakness in printing, which contracted 8.5 per cent, as well as a drop in the miscellaneous industries segment, which declined 6.2 per cent due to fewer batteries made.
Commenting on the data, Maybank economist Brian Lee said the weaker manufacturing growth in November was consistent with muted non-oil domestic exports.
“Nonetheless, the data continues to paint a positive picture of emerging green shoots,” he said, adding that “growth continues to be led by electronics in the face of a gradual recovery in global demand”.