GDP chts PETALING JAYA: Green shoots have been increasingly visible in the Malaysian economy, especially in the first three months of the year, led by a recovery in optimism and demand. While the economy is not out of the woods yet, macroeconomic data have indicated that the country is continuously moving away from the “painful effects” of Covid-19 in 2020. The Consumer Sentiment Index, published by the Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER), has increased by 13.7 points to 98.9 points in the first quarter of 2021 (Q1’21) – its highest reading since Q3’18. The Business Confidence Index, which slipped by 3.6 points to 111.8 points in Q1’21, remained well above the optimism threshold of 100 points for two consecutive quarters.