Malaysia: Inflation is stable in December
In December consumer prices rose 0.08% over the previous month, down from November’s 0.25% increase. The print was supported by a drop in prices for transport and clothing and footwear. Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco, and food and non-alcoholic beverages rose at a slower pace and further supported the print. Meanwhile, prices for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels increased at a stronger pace.
Inflation, meanwhile, was stable at November’s 0.2% in December and annual average inflation edged down from 1.2% in November to 1.0% in December. Core inflation—which excludes certain types of fresh food and administered prices of goods and services—edged down from November’s 0.5% to 0.4% in December.