KUALA LUMPUR (July 22): Malaysia's inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), declined 1.9% in June 2020 from a year earlier, led by the drop in the transport component on lower fuel prices.
Statistics Department chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said in a statement today the transport component fell 14.3%.
"The decrease in the overall index was driven by the decline in transport (-14.3%), housing, water, electricity, gas & other fuels (-2.6%), clothing & footwear (-1.1%) and furnishings, household equipment & routine household maintenance (-0.2%) which contributed to 45.7% of overall weight.
"CPI without fuel was at a positive rate of 0.2% in June 2020 compared with 0.1% for May 2020. CPI without fuel covers all goods and services except unleaded petrol RON95, unleaded petrol RON97 and diesel," Mohd Uzir said.
On a monthly basis, the department said June 2020 CPI increased 1% compared with May 2020.
For the second quarter ended June 30 (2Q20), the CPI decreased 2.6% to 118.2 compared to 121.3 for 2Q20. On a quarterly basis, the CPI dropped 3% compared with 1Q20.
CPI dropped for the fourth consecutive month in June 2020 after March 2020's 0.2% decline. April 2020 CPI declined 2.9% year-on-year to 117.6 — the sharpest fall recorded since 2010.