KUALA LUMPUR: The Consumer Price Index grew by 4.5 per cent in February compared to a year ago, mostly due to the increase in petrol prices.
The Statistics Department said the major groups which recorded increases were the indices for transport (17.9 per cent) and food and non-alcoholic beverages (4.3 per cent).
It said the index of transport group rose from 8.3 per cent in January 2017.
The average price of 1 litre of RON95 petrol was RM2.30 in February 2017 compared to RM1.75 in February last year.
As for RON97, the average price increased to RM2.60 in February 2017 from RM2.05 in February 2016.
As for the index for food & non-alcoholic beverages which accounted 30.2 per cent in the CPI weights, the increase was led by oils and fats (38.3 per cent) and vegetables (9.5 per cent).
The Statistics Department also highlighted that seven states recorded higher increases for the food and non-alcoholic beverages index, rising above the national level index.
Malacca led the pack with 5.4 per cent, Johor (5.3 per cent), Federal Territory Kuala Lumpur (5.1 per cent).