Food, fuel prices drive Malaysia’s CPI in November

Chief statistician at the DoSM Dr Uzir Mahidin said the rise was influenced primarily by higher prices of raw materials for cooking. 

The price of chicken, which is the largest component of meat and the main source of protein for Malaysians, increased by 16.7 percent as a result of global higher prices of feed for animals, he said.

Uzir said fish prices also recorded an increase. Milk, cheese and eggs were up by 4.2 percent, while the average price of vegetables rose by 3.4 percent compared to the same period last year. 

In addition, fuel prices remained high at 27.6 percent and electricity cost surged by 34.6 percent after the electricity discount was discontinued in September.

As for the CPI by states, he noted that all states recorded an increase in the month, with nine states surpassing the national CPI rate and the highest being Terengganu at 4.3 percent.

Uzir also said core inflation registered an year-on-year increase of 0.9 percent in November, contributed by a rise in the furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance group of 2.6 percent.

He emphasised that the rising inflation was inevitable due to rising global prices of fuel, food and construction-related materials./.