KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 21 — Malaysia’s consumer price index in September rose 1.5 per cent from a year earlier, matching the pace in August, government data showed today.

The figure was slightly below the median forecast of 1.7 per cent in a Reuters poll of economists.

Data from the Statistics Department showed increased prices for food, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, tobacco and housing in September, which were offset by lower transport and communication costs.

The annual inflation rate reached a seven-year peak of 4.2 per cent in February, but has since moderated as the effects of a goods and services tax imposed in April 2015 have faded.

In July, Malaysia’s central bank cut its inflation projection for the year to 2-3 per cent from 2.5-3.5 per cent. — Reuters