MALAYSIA'S INFLATION AT 7.6 PCT IN OCTOBER

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's inflation rate retreated to 7.6 percent in October with the reduction in petrol and diesel prices, among the contributing factors, the Department of Statistics said in a statement.

Petrol and diesel prices were reduced for the third time by the government
on Oct 15.

In September, the inflation rate eased to 8.2 percent from a record 26-year
high of 8.5 percent in August, with the fuel price cut also being the
contributor.

Compared to the same month last year, October saw the index for food and
non-alcoholic beverages increase by 12.1 per cent, while the index for
non-food items increased by 5.5 percent, the Department said.

Sharp rises were recorded for transport which rose 13.9 percent when
compared with the corresponding month of 2007, it highlighted.

When compared with September this year, the Consumer Price Index decreased
by 0.4 per cent, it said.

Compared again to September, food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by 0.2
percent but non-food decreased by 0.7 percent.

It said for the January - October period, food and non-alcoholic beverages
recorded an increase of 8.5 percent and non-food was up 4.1 percent.