The annual inflation rate in Malaysia accelerated to 1.9% in April 2026 from 1.7% in the prior month, marking the highest reading since October 2024 and aligning with market forecasts. Upward price pressures came from most components, including food & beverages (1.2% vs 1.1% in March), alcoholic beverages and tobacco (2.8% vs 2.7%), housing (1.1% vs 1.2%), transport (4.1% vs 1.6%), furnishings and household maintenance (0.4% vs 0.1%), health (1.4% vs 1.4%), information and communication (2.0% vs 1.4%), education (2.4% vs 2.5%), restaurants and accommodation services (2.6% vs 2.6%), financial services (4.9% vs 4.9%), and personal care & miscellaneous goods & services (4.8% vs 7.0%). In contrast, clothing prices continued to fall (-0.1% vs -0.1%). Core inflation, which excludes volatile fresh food and administered prices, edged down to 2.0% from 2.1% in March. Monthly, consumer prices rose 0.4%, following a 0.3% gain in March and pointing to the steepest pace since February 2025.