Malaysia consumer inflation surprisingly rises in November on push from higher food prices

Consumer inflation in Malaysia unexpectedly rose during the month of November, following push from higher food prices, against market expectations for a slight ease during the period.

Malaysia's consumer price inflation accelerated unexpectedly in November, data released by the Department of Statistics showed Wednesday.

The consumer price index rose 1.8 percent year-over-year in November, faster than the 1.4 percent climb in the previous month. Meanwhile, economists had expected the inflation to ease slightly to 1.3 percent.

Prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages grew 3.8 percent annually in November and utility costs went up by 2.1 percent. At the same time, transport charges dropped 1.5 percent. On a monthly basis, consumer prices increased 1.0 percent from October, when it rose by 0.3 percent.

However, the indices of communication fell 2.7 percent, transport by -1.5 percent and communication by -0.5 percent.

Meanwhile, USD/MYR traded flat at 4.48 at 7:15GMT.