DOSM: Malaysia’s August inflation edges up to 1.9pc on higher transport, services costs

Malaysia’s inflation increased 1.9 per cent in August 2026 from 1.8 per cent in the previous month, with the Consumer Price Index rising to 137.5 points in July from 134.9 a year earlier, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

First Published: Friday, 18 Sep 2026 1:14 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 — Malaysia’s inflation increased 1.9 per cent in August 2026 from 1.8 per cent in the previous month, with the Consumer Price Index rising to 137.5 points in July from 134.9 a year earlier, according to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM).

DOSM said the transport group drove the increase, rising 2.0 per cent compared to 1.4 per cent in July 2026. Inflation in personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services rose 3.2 per cent in August compared to 2.9 per cent in July.

“Both housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels and restaurant and accommodation services increased 2.1 per cent in August compared to 1.8 per cent and 2.0 per cent in the previous month, respectively.

“The food and beverages group increased 1.9 per cent in August (July 2026: 1.8 per cent), while the health group increased 1.3 per cent compared to 1.1 per cent in the previous month,” it said in a statement.

In addition, the furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance increased by a marginal 0.4 per cent in August (July 2026: 0.3 per cent).

DOSM said nine states recorded increases above the national inflation level of 1.9 per cent, namely Negeri Sembilan (2.5 per cent), Johor (2.3 per cent), Kedah (2.3 per cent), Pahang (2.3 per cent), Labuan (2.3 per cent), Selangor (2.1 per cent), Kuala Lumpur (2.1 per cent), Melaka (2.0 per cent) and Putrajaya (2.0 per cent).  “All states registered an increase in food and beverages inflation, except Kelantan, which recorded a decrease in August 2026,” it added.

On a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation in August 2026 increased by a marginal 0.3 per cent, driven by transport inflation that registered 0.6 per cent compared to -1.1 per cent in the previous month.

This was followed by the personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services, which increased 0.5 per cent, it said.

Both groups of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels, as well as restaurant and accommodation services, climbed 0.4 per cent compared to 0.1 per cent and 0.2 per cent in the previous month, respectively.

Food and beverages moderated to 0.2 per cent in August compared to 0.3 per cent in July. — Bernama