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Malaysia: March inflation up 1.3% on-year but Klang Valley, Melaka exceed

  • Apr 18, 2018

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s Consumer Price Index for March rose by 1.3% from a year ago, which was below a survey of a 1.6% increase, according to the Statistics Department.
However,  Selangor and Putrajaya recorded higher inflation at 1.6%, Melaka (+1.5%) and Kuala Lumpur (+1.4%).

[ Four states recorded higher increases for food & non-alcoholic beverages index above the national index leve ]

Its chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr. Mohd Uzir Mahidin said on Wednesday the national increase in the CPI for March was due to food & non-alcoholic beverages (+2.8%); furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance (+2.1%).
The health segment recorded a 2% rise; housing, water, electricity, gas & other fuels (+2%); restaurants and hotels (+2.0%) and education (+1.1%). 
“Meanwhile, the CPI for the period January-March 2018 increased 1.8% as compared to the same period last year,” he said.
Uzir added the overall index was also affected by the drop in the transport group by 1.5% in March 2018. 
Other groups which also showed decreases were clothing & footwear (-0.7%) and communication (-0.7%).
The department said the higher increase in the index for food & non-alcoholic beverages was reflected in most states in Malaysia. 
Four states recorded higher increases for food & non-alcoholic beverages index above the national index level  (+2.8%) in March 2018 as compared a year ago. 
The index for food & non-alcoholic beverages rose 4.1% in Kuala Lumpur, 3.4% in Sabah  and  Labuan, 3.4% in Johor and 3.1% in the state of Penang. 

Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2018/04/18/march-inflation-up-1pt3pct-on-year-but-klang-valley-melaka-exceed/#67pSWryVrOsfx1JD.99