KUALA LUMPUR: RAM Ratings expects headline inflation to speed up to 2.7% in 2019 after averaging 1% in 2018, mainly due to higher fuel prices and the reintroduction of the sales and service tax (SST).
The rating agency said there would be additional pressure from the switch to targeted fuel subsidies, along with its anticipation of continued spillover effects from the reintroduction of the SST and low-base effects during the zero-rated goods and services tax from June to end-August.