Overview

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The overall index for CPI in October 2016 rose 1.4 per cent to 115.7 from 114.1 in the corresponding month of the preceding year. The increase in the indices for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+2.5 per cent ) and  Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.1 per cent) were offset by the decrease in the indices of Transport group by 5.5 per cent; Communication (-2.6 per cent) and Clothing & Footwear (-0.5 per cent) (Table 1).

The index of transport group showed a decline of 5.5 per cent in October 2016 on a yearly basis, continuing the falls of 5.5 per cent and 6.7 per cent in September 2016 and August 2016 respectively. The average price of 1 litre of RON95 petrol was RM1.80 in October 2016 compared to RM2.05 in October 2015. The price however, went up from RM1.70 in September 2016. As for RON97, the average prices went up to RM2.15 in October 2016, from RM2.05 in September 2016. In October 2015, it recorded RM2.45.

The index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased 2.5 per cent in October 2016. The increase was fuelled by the food sub-group which encapsulated of Fish & Seafood (+5.0 per cent); Fruits (+3.1 per cent) and Meat (+2.4 per cent). As for Food Away From Home index, it continued to rise in October 2016, showed an increase of 3.3 per cent.

Among the index of food items which recorded notable increases in October 2016 compared to the same period last year were Cuttlefish (+11.2 per cent); Prawn (+6.1 per cent); Red Snapper (Fish) (+5.3 per cent); Spanish Mackerel (Fish) (+5.3 per cent) and Indian Mackerel (Fish) (+4.6 per cent). Meanwhile, decreases were registered in the index of some food items such as Tomatoes (-5.4 per cent); Round Cabbage (-3.7 per cent) and Brinjals (-2.9 per cent).

The index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages recorded an increase higher than the rate of overall CPI. The increase in the index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages was reflected in each state in Malaysia especially those in highly urbanised states such as Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Pulau Pinang, Johor and also Melaka.

Six states recorded higher increases for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages index above the national level index for October 2016 compared to the corresponding month in 2015. The index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages rose 3.7 per cent in Melaka, 3.3 per cent in Johor, 3.3 per cent in Pulau Pinang, 3.0 per cent in Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, 2.9 per cent in Negeri Sembilan and 2.7 per cent in Selangor & Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya.

On a monthly basis, the index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages decreased 0.3 per cent in October 2016 following a decrease of 0.2 per cent in September 2016. Meanwhile, the index for Non-Food recorded an increase of 0.7 per cent in October 2016 compared with the preceding month.

Based on a seasonally adjusted term, the overall CPI for October 2016 increased by 0.3 per cent as compared to September 2016 (Table 1).

Core inflation rose 2.0 per cent in October 2016 compared to the same month of the previous year. Among the major groups which act as catalysts to the higher core rate were price increases for Transport (+4.4 per cent); Recreation Services & Culture (+3.5 per cent); Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (+2.5 per cent) and Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+2.4 per cent) (Table 3).

CPI changes for the period January - October 2016 / 2015

CPI for the period January to October 2016 registered an increase of 2.1 per cent as compared to the same period last year. This follows 2.2 per cent increase in the period January to September 2016 and a 2.3 per cent increase in the period January to August 2016.

The index for Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages were the main upward contributor to the CPI rise in the period January – October 2016, registered an increase of 3.9 per cent. The increase was the result of increases in the index for Food At Home (+4.0 per cent); Food Away From Home (+3.9 per cent) and Coffee, Tea, Cocoa & Non-Alcoholic Beverages (+1.4 per cent). Among the subgroups of Food At Home which showed significant increases during this period as shown in Table 2 were Vegetables (+6.9 per cent); Fish & Seafood (+6.6 per cent); Fruits (+5.2 per cent) and Meat (+3.6 per cent).

The index for Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels rose 2.5 per cent. Other major groups which contributing to the CPI rise during this period were Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+21.0 per cent); Miscellaneous Goods & Services (+3.0 per cent); Restaurants & Hotels (+2.9 per cent); Health (+2.8 per cent) and Furnishing, Household Equipment & Routine Household Maintenance (+2.6 per cent). The increases however were partly offset by Transport group which registered a decrease of 5.3 per cent due to lower prices for petrol.

Core inflation, which excludes most volatile items of fresh food, as well as administered prices of goods and services records changes ranging from 2.0 per cent to 3.6 per cent in the period January - October 2016 compared to the same period of the previous year.

Released By:

THE OFFICE OF CHIEF STATISTICIAN MALAYSIA
DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS, MALAYSIA
25 November 2016

Contact person:
Ho Mei Kei
Public Relation Officer
Corporate and User Services Division
Department of Statistics, Malaysia
Tel : +603-8885 7942
Fax : +603-8888 9248
Email : mkho[at]stats.gov.my

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