The downturn in exports, which fell to 51.79 billion ringgit (S$22.05 billion) from a year ago, was partially offset by higher shipments of liquefied natural gas.

Imports also slid 8.6 per cent to 40.29 billion ringgit, the trade ministry said in a statement. November's trade surplus was recorded at 11.49 billion ringgit, up from 9.62 billion ringgit in October.

'Major product sectors which attributed to the decline in exports were electrical and electronic products, refined petroleum products, palm oil, chemicals and chemical products, crude rubber as well as iron and steel products,' it said.

Ratings agency RAM Holdings chief economist Yeah Kim Leng said the decline was 'less than market expectations'.

'This is the second consecutive month of decline. Malaysia is feeling the impact of downturn a few months later than the other open economies and export-oriented countries,' he told AFP.

'I think in the case of Malaysia, the trade surplus will remain positive because of the concurrent decline in imports.'

Malaysia's total trade for January to November reached 1.105 trillion ringgit, with exports expanding by 12.1 percent to 617.42 billion and imports rising by 5.9 percent to 487.1 billion ringgit. -- AFP