KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 19 -- Hiring in the manufacturing sector nosedived to an unprecedented level in the first half of the year, latest industry survey data revealed, as factories and producers felt the full brunt of the movement control order enforced to contain Covid-19.

Businesses recorded a record slump with activity index falling up to 59 points to 31 in the first half compared to the same period last year, while local and export sales fell 50 points each, the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) said today.

Movement restrictions caused severe supply chain disruptions that wreaked havoc across the sector that accounted for more than a fifth of GDP, forcing employers to cull jobs and freeze hiring.

Employment fell 82 points in...