Malaysia's trade surplus surged to RM11.45 billion in September, up 29.9 percent from August and 11.8 percent from a year ago, official data showed Monday.

Total exports for September were RM53.69 billion, down 0.3 percent from August but 1.1 percent higher from the same month last year, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said.

Imports came in at RM42.24 billion, down 6.2 percent from August and 1.5 percent lower from a year ago.

"Major product sectors which contributed to the significant increase in exports ... were electrical and electronic products, transport equipment, crude petroleum as well as optical and scientific equipment," the ministry said.

Exports grew nine percent from the second quarter to RM158.06 billion in the three months to September, while imports rose 6.1 percent to RM129.83 billion ringgit, the highest quarterly growth for the year.

Total trade was RM95.93 billion in September and RM810.47 billion for the first nine months of the year.