Malaysia's exports, the mainstay of the economy, slumped 24.2 percent in September from a year ago, according to official data released today.

The trade ministry said in a statement that exports fell to RM47.24 billion (US$13.8 billion) year-on-year while imports fell 20.2 percent to RM37.97 billion, producing a trade surplus of RM9.27 billion.