Inflation in Malaysia increased 1.8% in March this year, unchanged from the month before.

Last month the index registered a reading of 132.2 compared to 129.9 in March.

Compared on a quarterly basis, the country's consumer price index (CPI) rose by 0.7%, an increase from 0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Meanwhile, core inflation increased at a slower pace, at 1.7% in March, compared to 1.8% in February, The Star reports.

“The increase was due to the Food and Beverages and Restaurant and Accommodation Services which both recorded increases of 3% respectively in March 2024,” according to a statement by the National Statistics Department.

According to the report, the segments that experienced the highest increases were housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels, as well as restaurant and accommodation services.

“The increase of 3% (February 2024: 2.7%) for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels was contributed by the expenditure class of water supply, which increased to 31.4% in March 2024 (February 2024: 28.8%),” the National Statistics Department statement went on to add.

Furthermore, there were also increases reported in personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services, with 2.6% growth, as well as transport with 1.3%.

Counterbalancing the increase were segments that saw a slower rise, including health (2.1%), food and beverages (1.7%), and recreation, sport, and culture (1.5%).