KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 23 — November’s inflation rate stayed at 4 per cent year-on-year but prices of food and dining out climbed up slightly by 10 and 20 basis points compared to last year to reach 7.3 and 7 per cent respectively, official data released by Department of Statistics Malaysia this morning showed.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages inflation recorded the highest incline in the consumer price index followed by prices of food at restaurants and hotels. Prices of most items in the CPI showed a general upward trend even by just several basis points.

Only transportation, utility bills and housing-related spending registered a decline. Transportation was down by 20 basis points to 5 per cent while water, rental, power bills dropped 10 basis points to 1.4 per cent.

The CPI tracks price movements of over 300 items but the DoSM often releases the inflation data of goods and services considered most crucial to consumers.

Under the food basket, the inflation rate of meals prepared at home remained at 5.8 per cent. Beef registered the highest incline, almost by 100 basis points to 8.2 from 7.3 per cent in October. Prices of fish, dairy products and cereals and grains all climbed by 10 basis points.

Items that saw declines in prices were vegetables, fruits and cooking oil.