KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 25): Malaysia's inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI) increased 1.4% from a year earlier, mainly on costlier liquor and tobacco, besides food and non-alcoholic drinks.

In a statement today, the Statistics Department said liquor and tobacco prices collectively rose 19.8%, while food and non-alcoholic drinks prices climbed 2.5%.

"The index of transport group showed a decline of 5.5% in October 2016 on a yearly basis, continuing the falls of 5.5% and 6.7% in September 2016 and August 2016 respectively," the department said.

The department said cumulative 10-month CPI rose 2.1% from a year earlier. On a monthly basis, October CPI climbed 0.3% from September.

In September, the CPI increased 1.5% from a year earlier, according to the department.