malaysias manufacturing sector saw an acceleration of growth momentum in december as operating conditions improved at the quickest rate since april ihs markit said the ihs markit manufacturing purchasing managers index climbed to 528 in december from 523 in november indicating a stronger improvement in the sector businesses reported faster expansions in both production levels and new orders as manufacturing rebounded after the lifting of pandemic restrictions and demand recovered ihs markit said the latest reading is representative of a solid expansion in manufacturing production and gross domestic product with the survey pointing to a broad recovery from the impact of covid19 it added nonetheless operating conditions remain tough with supply chain delays as well as material and labor shortages widely reported across the sector said ihs markit economist usamah bhatti encouragingly business expectations for the coming year remained strong overall as a fifth of companies reported optimism that the worst of the pandemic had passed he said