ANN/THE STAR – Malaysia’s inflation in January 2024 was 1.5 per cent, unchanged since November 2023, driven by slower increases in various sectors including food and beverages (F&B).
In a statement, the National Statistics Department said the F&B segment, which has a 29.8 per cent weighting on the consumer price index (CPI), increased a moderate two per cent in January.
The department also said there was a slower 3.2 per cent increase in prices in restaurant and accommodation services, driven by the main subgroups of beverage preparation and accommodation services.
Meanwhile, there was a 2.4 per cent increase in costs in the health segment due to the increases in the main subgroup of outpatient care services.
Compared to the preceding month of December 2023, inflation increased 0.2 per cent, the same rate that was recorded in December 2023.
Core inflation increased at a slower 1.8 per cent as compared to 1.9 per cent in December 2023, and surpassed the overall national inflation rate.
