Malaysia August inflation seen at 3.0%, below July pace

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia's inflation in August likely cooled to 3.0 per cent on lower fuel prices and after the Muslim Eid al-Fitr celebrations, a Reuters poll showed on Friday.

Demand ahead of the celebrations helped pushed up prices in July, when the consumer price index came in higher than expected at 3.3 per cent.

While economic growth slowed in the second quarter, inflation has steadily climbed in recent months due to a 6 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented in April.

REUTERS