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Malaysia: KL, Penang inflation rates exceed national CPI on higher food prices

  • Sep 25, 2019

KUALA LUMPUR: Higher food prices pushed the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Selangor and Putrajaya and Perak above the national inflation rate in August, according to the Statistics Department.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, it said KL registered a 2.4% increase in the CPI, Penang (2%), Selangor and Putrajaya (1.8%) and Perak (1.6%), surpassing the national CPI rate of 1.5% from a year ago.

All states registered increase in the index of food & non-alcoholic beverages. The highest increases were recorded by Kuala Lumpur (4.7%), Penang (3.1%), Selangor & Putrajaya (2.9%) and Perak (2.7%). The increase surpassed the national index of food & non-alcoholic beverages of 2.6% in August.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the national CPI increased by 1.5% in August to 121.8 as against 120.0 a year ago. Negeri Sembilan’s CPI was the same as the national index.

The national CPI increase of 1.5% was in line with Bloomberg and RAM Ratings’ forecast of 1 1.5% increase.

“Out of 552 items covered in CPI, 396 items showed an increase in August 2019 as against August 2018. On the contrary, 117 items declined while 39 items were unchanged, ” he said.

The increase in the overall index was driven by the index of furnishings, household equipment & routine Household maintenance (3.2%), food & non-alcoholic beverages (2.6%), alcoholic beverages & tobacco (2.5%), miscellaneous goods & services (2.5%), recreation services & culture (2.3%) and communication (2.2%).

On a monthly basis, CPI rose 0.2% as compared to July 2019. It was mainly supported by the index of housing, water, electricity, gas & other fuels (0.5%), miscellaneous goods & services (0.5%), food & non-alcoholic beverages (0.2%), health (0.2%) and restaurants & hotels (0.2%).

The department said CPI for January to August increased by 0.5% from the previous corresponding period.

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2019/09/25/kl-penang-inflation-rates-exceed-national-cpi-on-higher-food-prices#ylTz88yOQSgPA81C.99