BY: MOHD EZLI MASHUT
SHAH ALAM SEPT 20: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) overall rose higher at 3.7 per cent for August 2017 to 119.9 from 115.6 in the same month last year.
The Department of Statistics, Malaysia in a report released today states among the main groups which recorded increases were Transport (+11.7 per cent), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+4.3 per cent), Restaurants & Hotels (+ 2.8 per cent).
While for Health (+2.7 per cent), Furnishings, Household Appliance & Maintenance (+2.7 per cent) and Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.4 per cent).
Transport group index showed a significant increase of 11.7 per cent on a year-on-year basis for August 2017, after rising 7.7 per cent in July 2017.
The average price of 1 liter of RON95 petrol is RM2.12 in August 2017 which is higher than RM1.75 in August 2016.
For RON97 petrol, the average price was RM2.39 in August 2017 compared to RM2.10 in August 2016. The fuel and lubricant for private transportation contributed 7.8 per cent to the weighted average CPI.
The Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages group which contributed 30.2 per cent to the weighted average CPI increased 4.3 per cent in August 2017.
The increase was driven by the index of food and fuel oil (+39.2 percent), Fish & Seafood (+8.1 percent), Fruits (+3.2 percent) and Vegetables (+2.9 percent).
The Consumer Price Index of August rose to 119.9%
