By Media Selangor Team
SHAH ALAM, June 24 — Malaysia recorded an inflation rate of 1.2 per cent in May this year, its lowest in 51 months, with Selangor slightly above the national average at 1.5 per cent, latest data by the Statistics Department (DOSM) shows.
According to DOSM May’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released today, the national headline inflation rate marked a continued downtrend from April’s 1.4 per cent, driven by softer price increases in key categories such as food, housing and utilities, and education.
Selangor was among five states that saw inflation above the national average, alongside Johor (1.8 per cent), Negeri Sembilan (1.6 per cent), Melaka (1.5 per cent), and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (1.4 per cent).
Food inflation remained a key pressure point, with eight states recording food price increases above the national average of 2.1 per cent. Selangor registered 2.9 per cent, while Negeri Sembilan was the highest at 3.4 per cent.
Core inflation, which excludes items like fuel and price-controlled goods, also eased to 1.8 per cent in May from 2.0 per cent in April.
DOSM attributed the moderation to slower price gains in personal care, housing, and recreational services.
Communication costs remained in deflation, down 5.2 per cent year-on-year.
The cost of food consumed at home was unchanged from a year ago, while inflation for dining out remained elevated at 4.4 per cent. Price increases were most notable in items such as roasted pork rice (5.3 per cent), steamboat meals (5.0 per cent), and chicken rice (3.4 per cent).
Meanwhile, prices for several vegetables posted sharp declines, including spinach, cucumbers, long beans, and mustard greens. Fresh eggs and dairy products also saw continued price drops.
Out of 573 items tracked in the CPI basket, 342 items (59.7 per cent) recorded price increases.
However, only 12 items saw double-digit jumps, including fresh coconut milk (36.3 per cent), grated coconut (29.6 per cent), gold jewellery (24.8 per cent), and game consoles (19.1 per cent).
Fuel prices, meanwhile, helped ease overall pressure. According to the DOSM, the average retail price of RON97 dropped to RM3.11 per litre in May, from RM3.47 a year ago, reflecting lower global crude oil prices at US$64.21 (RM273.18) per barrel.
Diesel prices, however, climbed to RM2.81 per litre in Peninsular Malaysia following subsidy rationalisation.
For households earning below RM3,000 a month, inflation was slightly lower at 1.0 per cent, with food, education, and accommodation services being the main drivers.
Inflation in urban areas stood at 1.3 per cent, while rural areas recorded a slower rate of 1.0 per cent.
DOSM added that price controls on essential goods, such as RON95, cooking gas, and selected food items, continued to play a key role in keeping overall inflation contained.
