KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — Malaysia’s Services Producer Price Index (SPPI) increased 1.0 per cent year-on-year in the fourth quarter (4Q) of 2023 to average 115.5 points compared to 1.4 per cent in the third quarter (3Q), said the Department of Statistics Malaysia.
Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said most subsectors recorded an increase in the quarter under review.
“The arts, entertainment and recreation subsector rose by 5.5 per cent from 0.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2023, attributed to an increase in gambling and betting activities which rose 6.2 per cent.
“Accommodation and food and beverage service activities went up by 3.4 per cent due to increases recorded by beverage service activities up 4.0 per cent and restaurants and mobile food service activities that added 3.8 per cent,” he said in a statement today.
Mohd Uzir said other subsectors that recorded marginal growth were education up1.0 per cent, real estate activities up 0.6 per cent, health up 0.3 per cent and professional up 0.2 per cent.
However, the transportation index saw a decline of 0.5 per cent, particularly due to passenger air transport, which lost 2.7 per cent.
Meanwhile, the index of information and communication was unchanged, he said.
On an annual basis, the SPPI increased by 2.1 per cent in 2023, which was similar to the previous year.
“With the exception of information and communication which remained unchanged, all other subsectors recorded an increase in 2023,” said Mohd Uzir.
On a quarter-on-quarter comparison, he said, the SPPI edged up by 0.1 per cent compared to the 0.4 per cent recorded in the previous quarter.
— Bernama
