Malaysia – RAM: Inflation to rise slightly

• May 23, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: RAM Rating Services Bhd expects Malaysia’s headline inflation to increase slightly to 1.5% in April against 1.3% in March, mainly attributed to a reduction in the negative growth contribution of retail fuel.

The rating agency said the average price of RON95 fuel fell only 0.3% year-on-year (y-o-y) in April, compared with a 4.4% y-o-y decline in March.

For 2018, headline inflation was forecast to come in at 2.3% after charting 3.7% in 2017, it said.

Head of research Kristina Fong said there might be a downside risk to RAM’s projection following the new administration’s move to zero-rate the goods and services tax effective June 1 and its proposed intention to maintain the retail fuel price at current level. — Bernama

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/05/23/ram-inflation-to-rise-slightly/#fbVp1Bv9w4vJp10H.99