KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Malaysia’s inflation remained at 2 per cent in June, said the Statistics Department (DOSM).
It said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) was at 133 points, from 130.4 in June 2023.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the rise in inflation was driven by an incline in the main group of restaurant and accommodation services (3.3 per cent), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (3.2 per cent).
“Inflation for restaurant and accommodation services increased to 3.3 per cent. This was due to the increase in the main subgroup of beverage preparation services to 4.2 per cent.
“Inflation for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased at the same rate as the previous month, at 3.2 per cent,” he said in a statement today.
The chief statistician said increases were also logged in personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services (2.8 per cent), as well as food and beverages (2 per cent).
“Clothing and footwear, and insurance and financial services declined to -0.1 per cent, respectively, compared with the same month the previous year,” he said.
Uzir said overall monthly inflation for June rose by 0.2 per cent, driven by inflation for transport (0.5 per cent), restaurant and accommodation services (0.3 per cent), and recreation, sport and culture (0.3 per cent).
Inflation in the second quarter of 2024 rose by 1.9 per cent, compared with 1.7 per cent in the first quarter.
“Core inflation increased at 1.9 per cent in June 2024, the same rate as recorded in May 2024, buoyed by the restaurant and accommodation services (3.3 per cent) and food and beverages (2.8 per cent),” said Uzir.
The DOSM said most states logged hikes below the national inflation level of 2 per cent, but four states recorded increases above the national level — Penang (3.3 per cent), Sarawak (2.7 per cent), Pahang (2.7 per cent) and Selangor (2.4 per cent).
— Bernama
