KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's inflation in April rose 3.3% in April at 130 against 125.9 in the same month in 2022, in line with market expectations.
The monthly headline inflation in April increased marginally at 0.1%, the same rate recorded in the previous month
In a statement, the National Statistics Department said the leading driver of inflation was restaurants and hotels, and food and non-alcoholic beverages, which rose 6.6% and 6.3% respectively.
However, a slower increase of 2.3% in transport partially offset the inflation.
"The weight for the Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages group (29.5%), Transport (14.6%) and Restaurants & Hotels (2.9%) comprise 47.0 per cent of the total weight for CPI which have a significant impact on the inflation rate and the cost of living," said the agency.
According to the Statistics Department, there was a moderate increase in fuel prices, which was a direct impact of the decrease in the price of Brent crude oil to US$84.11 a barrel in April.
The average price of unleaded petrol RON97 also recorded a decline of 12.8% in April to RM3.35 a litre as compared to RM3.84 a litre in April 2022
With regards to food and non-alcoholic beverages, it said the food at home component moderated to 5% in April as compared to 5.6 in the previous month.
The Statistics Department said the implementation of The Maximum Price Scheme for Festive Season (SHMMP) for the period of 16 days starting April 15-30, 2023, eased inflation in the food at home component to a certain extent.
In line with the moderate increase in the component of Food at home, the component of food away from home also recorded a lower increase of 8.1 per cent as compared to March 2023 (8.6%).
Meanwhile the inflation for the below RM3,000 income group increased 3.4%, owing to the food and non-alcoholic beverages group.
