KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 18 ― Malaysia's consumer price index in August rose 3.3 per cent from a year earlier, marginally above market expectations, data from the Statistics Department showed yesterday.

The index rose 3.2 per cent in July.

A Reuters poll of 14 economists had forecast the annual inflation rate in August would hold steady at 3.2 per cent.

Inflation is gradually moderating after picking up sharply in the fourth quarter of last year through early 2014. However, economists expect temporary spikes in inflation if the government withdraws more fuel subsidies later this year and when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is implemented in April 2015. ― Reuters