CPI up 1.9% in Sep with largest hikes seen in gas, electricity & water

The Consumer Price Index for September rose by 1.9%, marking an increase of 0.2 percentage points month-on-month.

Netting out the effects of the government's one-off relief measures, the September underlying inflation rate was 2.1%, up 0.2 percentage points.

The largest hikes were recorded in electricity, gas and water, which surged 12.9% with transport fares up 5.2%.

A government spokesperson says the acceleration in the CPI growth was mainly owing to larger price hikes in fuel-related items but as price pressures in other areas remain largely controllable, and overall inflation will stay moderate.