CPI Malaysia declined by 1.4 percent in December 2020

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The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) highlighted that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) declined by 1.4 percent in December 2020 from 122.3 to 120.6 also in the same month of the preceding year.

Transport, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels, and Clothing and Footwear attributed to the decline of the overall index by -8.4 percent, -3.3 percent, and -0.4 percent, respectively.

Restaurants and Hotels, and Furnishings, Household, Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance too attributed to the decline with 0.2 percent, and -0.1 percent, respectively.

In contrast, Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages, Miscellaneous Goods and Services, and Health contributed to the increase of the overall index by 1.4 percent, 2.2 percent, and 1.0 percent.

Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, Education and Recreation Services and Culture also contributed to the increase with 0.6 percent, 0.6 percent, and 0.2 percent.

Although year-on-year CPI decreased, monthly CPI increased by 0.5 percent as compared to November 2020. Transport (3.0 percent), and Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (0.5 percent), attributed to the increase.

CPI for Q4 2020 decreased by 1.5 percent from 122.1 to 120.3 in the same quarter of the previous year. On a quarterly basis, the CPI increased by 0.2 percent as compared to Q3 2020.

CPI for 2020 recorded a 1.2 percent decrease as compared to 2021.

The index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased 1.4 percent in December 2020 as compared to the same month of the previous year.

Among the contributing attributes are Vegetables (3.6 percent), Food Products Not Elsewhere Classified (2.4 percent), Meat (2.2 percent), Oil and Fats (1.9 percent), Fruits (1.2 percent), Fish and Seafood (0.9 percent), and Rice, Bread and Other Cereals (0.7 percent).

Among the index of goods which recorded year-on-year price increase in most states were Ginger (24.3 percent), Bird’s Eye Chilli (17.5 percent), Fresh Chilli Red (15.6 percent), Fresh Chilli Green (12.3 percent), and Round Cabbage (12.1 percent).

The increase in price of Cooked Beef, Burger, Cooked Fish, and Satay contributed to the increase of the Food Away from Home index by 1.6 percent in December 2020 against December 2019.

The index for all states declined between -0.9 to -2.2 percent in December 2020 compared to 2019.

The highest decline was recorded by Kedah and Perlis at -2.2 percent. Sabah and Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan, Johor, Melaka, Sarawak and Negeri Sembilan trailed by -2.0 percent, -2.0 percent, -2.0 percent, -1.9 percent, -1.9 percent, respectively.

However, all states registered an increase in the index of Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages.

The highest increase was recorded by Pahang at 2.3 percent. Selangor, Wilayah Persekutuan Putrajaya, Perak, Terengganu, and Negeri Sembilan followed by 2.2 percent, 2.0 percent, 2.0 percent, and 1.7 percent, respectively.

The CPI without fuel fell by 0.1 percent in December 2020 from 112.9 to 112.8 in the same month of the preceding year. CPI without fuel covers all goods and services except Unleaded Petrol RON95, Unleaded Petrol RON97 and Diesel.

Core index rose 0.7 percent in December 2020 as compared to the same month of the previous year.

Among the major groups which contributed to the increase were Miscellaneous Goods and Services (2.2 percent), Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages (1.2 percent), Health (1.0 percent), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels (0.6 percent), and Education (0.6 percent).

Core index excludes most volatile items of fresh food as well as administered prices of goods and services. 

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