KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 — Malaysia’s inflation moderated to 1.4 per cent in 2025 as compared to 1.8 per cent in the previous year, supported by the firmer ringgit, sustained household spending and initiatives by the government.

According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), government initiatives to distribute RON95 petrol subsidies to Malaysians, to a certain extent, helped to curb further increases in Malaysia’s inflation.

“This rate is within the inflation range projected by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Ministry of Finance, between 1.0 per cent and 2.0 per cent for 2025,” it said in a statement regarding the analysis of Consumer Price Index (CPI) 2025.

Chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the country’s inflation in 2025 was contributed by the inflation of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (1.6 per cent); health (1.2 per cent); recreation, sports and culture (1.1 per cent);  transport (0.4 per cent) and furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance (0.2 per cent).

He said personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services recorded a higher increase at 4.4 per cent compared to 2024’s 3.0 per cent, followed by insurance and financial services (3.4 per cent), restaurants and accommodation services (3.2 per cent), education (2.3 per cent), and food and beverages (2.1 per cent).

In contrast, he said information and communication and clothing and footwear recorded declines of negative 4.3 per cent and negative 0.2 per cent in 2025, respectively.

“The highest inflation throughout 2025 was recorded in January 2025 at 1.7 per cent and edged down to 1.1 per cent in June 2025, contributed by a slower trend in the inflation of food and beverages, and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

“Nevertheless, the inflation trend picked up in the second half of the year 2025,” he said.

Mohd Uzir noted that the core inflation rose 2.0 per cent in 2025 as compared to 1.8 per cent in 2024, contributed by the personal care, social protection and miscellaneous goods and services (4.4 per cent), food and beverages (3.4 per cent), insurance and financial services (3.4 per cent), and restaurant and accommodation services (3.2 per cent).

Meanwhile, he said most states registered slower inflation, with four states exceeding the national inflation rate of 1.4 per cent in 2025, namely Johor (2.0 per cent), Selangor (1.7 per cent), Negeri Sembilan (1.7 per cent) and Melaka (1.5 per cent).

“Kelantan recorded the lowest increase at 0.3 per cent,” he said.

Mohd Uzir said that, compared with inflation in other selected countries, the inflation rate in Asean countries ranged from negative 0.3 per cent to 7.7 per cent in 2025.

“Laos recorded the highest inflation at 7.7 per cent, while Brunei recorded the lowest inflation at negative 0.3 per cent,” he added. — Bernama

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SINGAPORE: Hawker centres have long been a go-to for affordable, satisfying meals—but prices are climbing, and the change is becoming harder to ignore.

Hawker food prices rose by 6.1% overall in 2023, marking the steepest increase since 2008. Vendors say rising labour costs, ingredient prices, utility costs, and taxes are forcing them to adjust prices to stay afloat.

Food price increase 

Among noodle dishes, fishball noodles recorded one of the biggest jumps, rising from S$3.80 to about S$4.10, an increase of nearly 10%. For Char Kway Teow, there is also an increase from S$4.20 to over S$4.50, a rise of more than 8%. Fish slice rice noodles have the highest average price, reaching around S$5.35. Wonton noodles increased as well. 

For the rice dishes, the cost of Char siu rice increased by 8.3% while chicken nasi briyani also increased at 8.4% at hawker centres. The economy rice is the most budget-friendly rice option, because this one meat dish and two vegetable dishes average S$3.82, making it affordable.  

Beverage costs also increased. It is discovered that the average price of canned drinks reached S$1.71, a 7.5% increase from the previous record. Moreover, the cost of sugary drinks nearly doubled, with an increase from S$10 to over S$20. For other beverages such as freshly brewed Milo, hot tea, and coffee, the cost increased from 6% to 7%.

In order to lessen the pressures of inflation, the Singapore government and other departments have taken appropriate action. On April 14, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced a tightening of monetary policy in three and a half years. With this, the government made its exchange-rate band steeper so Singaporean dollars can rise, as this will help in slowing down rising import prices. 

In terms of financial support, the government has allocated an estimated amount of nearly S$1 billion for emergency funds to support affected families and businesses. This aims to aid cost-of-living subsidies, electricity bill rebates, temporary fuel subsidies, and additional assistance for low-income families.

Several associations are also seeking the government’s support for hawker centre rent rebates, utility subsidies, tax breaks, and low-interest loans.

Singaporean food processors admitted that if the Middle East conflict continues, prices could rise by another 10% to 15%. This is an increase that could exceed the impact of the COVID‑19 pandemic. However, the authorities are putting in place measures to help Singaporeans cope with the challenges of inflation.

This article (‘No longer as cheap?’ Singapore hawker prices jump 6.1%—biggest rise in 15 years) first appeared on The Independent Singapore News.