CPI declines 1.3 pct in July - Statistics Department

Malaysia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined 1.3 percent in July 2020 to 119.9 from 121.5 in the same month last year, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

Chief statistician Mohd Uzir Mahidin (above) said the decrease in the overall index was due to the decline in transport (-10.3 percent), as well as housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels (-2.6 percent).

Also contributing to the index decrease were clothing and footwear (-0.6 percent), as well as furnishings, household equipment, and routine household maintenance (-0.1 percent). All the above was said to have contributed 45.7 percent to the overall weight.

“Nevertheless, food and non-alcoholic beverages increased 1.4 percent to 135.0 compared to 133.2 in the corresponding month of the preceding year. This group contributes 29.5 percent of CPI weight.

“Similarly, miscellaneous goods and services inclined by 2.9 percent, followed by communication (1.6 percent), health (1.1 percent), and education (1.2 percent),” Mohd Uzir said in a statement.

He also said the CPI without fuel showed a positive rate of 0.2 percent in July 2020 compared to June 2020.

“The CPI without fuel covers all goods and services except unleaded petrol RON95, unleaded petrol RON97, and diesel,” he said.

Meanwhile, the core index rose 1.1 percent in July 2020 compared to the same month of the previous year.

Among the major groups which influenced the increase were miscellaneous goods and services (2.9 percent), communication (1.6 percent), as well as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (1.4 percent).

The CPI for the period of January to July 2020 decreased 0.9 percent compared to the same period last year.

The decrease was attributed to transport (-10.0 percent), clothing and footwear (-1.1 percent), as well as housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (-0.7 percent).

At the state level, the index for all states decreased between -0.7 to -2.2 percent in July 2020 compared to July 2019.

The highest decrease was recorded by Melaka (-2.2 percent), followed by Sabah and the Labuan Federal Territory (-2.1 percent), Sarawak (-1.9 percent), as well as Kedah and Perlis (-1.9 percent).

However, all states registered an increase in the index of food and non-alcoholic beverages.

The highest increase was recorded by Selangor and Putrajaya (2.3 percent), Perak (1.7 per cent), Pahang (1.7 percent), Terengganu (1.7 percent), and Johor (1.6 percent), surpassing the national index.

Meanwhile, Negeri Sembilan recorded 1.4 percent, similar to the national index of food and non-alcoholic beverages in July 2020.

- Bernama