KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur recorded the highest inflation rate among the other states in the country in March at 0.9% from a year ago, compared with the national average of 0.2%. The Statistics Department said on Wednesday the higher inflation recorded in Kuala Lumpur was due to a 4.2% increase in food and non-alcoholic beverages index. Penang state recorded a 0.6% increase while for Selangor and Putrajaya (0.3%) and Negeri Sembilan (0.3%). These states' inflation rate surpassed the national consumer price index (CPI) rate of 0.2% in March from a year ago, it said. “In addition, being a net importer of food, Malaysia is also exposed to imported inflation due to ringgit depreciation hence initiating food inflation to stay at the high-side.

Source: The Star April 24, 2019 06:45 UTC