Malaysian inflation in 2023 recorded a slower increase of 2.5% from 3.3% in 2022 with index points at 130.4 compared to 127.2 previously.
The head of the Department of Statistics (DoSM), Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the slow rise in inflation in 2023 is in line with the decline in most global commodity prices, reduced supply disruptions, price controls and subsidies for selected items.
He also said that inflation for the main groups in 2023 showed an increase except for communications which lacked 3.0% and the highest increase was recorded by restaurants and hotels at 5.6%.
This is followed by food and beverage groups (4.8%), goods and services (2.4%), furniture, home furnishings and household maintenance (2.3%), health (2.2%), education (1.9%), housing, water, electricity, gas and fuel (1.7%), recreational and cultural services (1.5%), transportation (1.1%), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (0.6%) and clothing (0.3%).
He added that the food and beverage group is the largest component of household spending in Malaysia with a contribution of 29.5% of the total Primary CPI which decreased to 4.8% compared to 5.8% in the previous year.
The group's slow increase is largely due to an increase in the food component at home which increased by 3.5% compared to the 5.3% recorded in 2022.
Meanwhile, meals outside the home increased at 6.7% in 2023 from 6.6% in 2022.
Commenting on inflation at the state level, Mohd Uzir said all states recorded an increase in inflation with five states showing an increase above the national inflation level of 2.5 percent in 2023.
The highest increase was recorded by the Federal Territory of Putrajaya (3.4%), Sarawak (3.1%), Selangor (2.9%), Perak (2.8%) and Pahang (2.6%).
The Federal Territory of Labuan recorded the lowest inflation of 1.6%.
