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MALAYSIA’S inflation moderated to 1.4 per cent in March 2025, as price increases across several key categories slowed, the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) reported today.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 134.1 in March, up from 132.2 in the same month last year.
Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the slower pace of inflation was largely attributed to a reduced rate of increase in personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services, which rose by 3.6 per cent compared to 3.7 per cent in February.
“This is followed by restaurant and accommodation services, 2.9 per cent (February 2025: 3.5 per cent); housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, 1.9 per cent (February 2025: 2.3 per cent); alcoholic beverages and tobacco, 0.8 per cent (February 2025: 0.9 per cent); and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance, 0.2 per cent (February 2025: 0.3 per cent),” he said in a statement.
However, Mohd Uzir noted that some categories recorded slightly higher inflation compared to the previous month, including education at 2.2 per cent and recreation, sport and culture at 1.7 per cent.
“Meanwhile, food and beverages (2.5 per cent), insurance and financial services (1.5 per cent), health (1.0 per cent) and transport (0.7 per cent) increased at the same rate as recorded in the previous month,” he added.
The indices for information and communication, along with clothing and footwear, remained in negative territory, posting declines of -5.4 per cent and -0.2 per cent respectively. - April 23, 2025