Malaysia’s inflation edged higher in March 2026, signalling that the ongoing global supply crisis is beginning to filter through into domestic prices, particularly in transport and daily essentials.
According to data cited by Economy Minister Akmal Nasrullah Mohd Nasir, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose to 1.7% in March, up from 1.4% in February, driven largely by a rebound in the transport segment.
The transport component recorded an increase of 1.6%, compared to a contraction of 0.7% previously, reflecting rising fuel costs amid global energy market volatility.
Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) data also showed a sharp increase in fuel prices, with average diesel prices in Peninsular Malaysia rising to RM4.09 per litre from RM2.98 in February, while RON97 climbed to RM4.01 from RM3.11.
“This shows that the impact of the crisis is no longer confined to global markets. It is now seeping into transportation costs, logistics, goods prices and the daily spending of the rakyat,” Akmal said during the Global Supply Crisis briefing broadcast on RTM.
He added, the recent price monitoring for the period of April 13 to 19 showed mixed movements across key food items. The average price of standard chicken rose 2.8% to RM9.33 per kilogram from RM9.09 previously, while beef prices declined 5.0% to RM35.65 per kilogram.
Egg prices remained stable at RM3.66 per 10 Grade C eggs, while in the fish and vegetable category, mackerel prices eased to RM16.43 per kilogram from RM17.08. However, mustard greens (sawi) increased to RM6.21 per kilogram from RM5.89, while spinach prices held steady at RM5.26.
The latest data highlights growing cost pressures across essential goods, even as price movements remain uneven, reinforcing concerns that global disruptions are increasingly translating into domestic economic realities.
