03/12/2015 (Reuters) - Malaysia's October exports are forecast to have increased from a year earlier thanks to higher crude and palm oil shipments, a Reuters poll showed.

The median forecast was for a 7.9% annual expansion in October, compared with an 8.8% rise in September.

The poll also forecasts a 4.3% fall in October's imports from last year, which would be a sharp reversal from September's 9.6% rise. The forecasted fall reflects high imports in September 2014 and slowing domestic demand.

Malaysia's trade surplus in October was seen at 9.05 billion ringgit (US$2.15 billion), slightly down from 9.69 billion ringgit the previous month.