July inflation rate climbs on higher fuel prices

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin (pic) said the July CPI remained positive for the sixth consecutive month since February 2021 due to the lower base effect last year.

KUALA LUMPUR: Higher fuel prices pushed the consumer price index (CPI) higher in July – a straight six-month rise – but the monthly electricity bill discount given to domestic consumers helped mitigate the overall increase.

The Statistics Department said yesterday that the CPI rose by 2.2% to 122.5 from 119.9 a year ago due to the lower base effect then.