The Malaysian Insight

Stopping the ‘open house’ tradition, buying new clothes from thrift shops and even skipping the once-yearly ‘balik-kampung’ exodus.

These are among measures being taken by many families from lower and middle-income wage groups are resorting to cut expenses this Hari Raya, as the rising cost of living hits home.

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in Malaysia for April was recorded at 4.4%, an increase from a year ago mainly due to a 16.7% jump in the transport index.

The monthly Department of Statistics report on CPI recorded increases for transport (+16.7%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (+4.1%), recreation services (+3%), health (+2.8%), restaurants and hotels (+2.4%), and housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels (+2.2%).

The Malaysian Insight spoke to families to find out how they are managing their budgets for the Hari Raya celebrations.