Malaysia posts inflation of 1.5% in January

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's inflation in January 2024 was 1.5%, 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% weighting on the consumer price index (CPI), increased a moderate 2% in January.

The department also said there was a slower 3.2% 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% 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%, the same rate that was recorded in December 2023.

Core inflation increased at a slower 1.8% as compared to 1.9% in December 2023, and surpassed the overall national inflation rate.