KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Reuters) - Malaysia's economy expanded 5.8 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, the fastest pace in more than two years and defying expectations for a slight slowdown, central bank data showed on Friday.
Continued strength in domestic demand and robust exports were key growth drivers in the quarter, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said at a news conference.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected growth to fade slightly to 5.4 percent in April-June from 5.6 percent in the first quarter.
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) raised its full-year 2017 GDP growth forecast to above 4.8 percent. The last forecast in March predicted growth of 4.3 to 4.8 percent. ($1 = 4.2955 ringgit) (Reporting by Joseph Sipalan; Editing by Kim Coghill)