FEEDBACK: IS M'SIA'S CPI REFLECTIVE OF THE ACTUAL INFLATION?

I received two responses to my last article, from NC and WH. Their feedback were sent via e-mail to me. I reproduce their comments below:-

NC:

"Your latest blog rightly describes the situation in Malaysia today. It will be meaningless for Malaysians if we achieve high income status while the common people having to struggle with the increased cost of goods as the result of high inflation.

I would rather maintain my present income if cost of simple meat is RM1.50, cost of beer is RM2.50, cost of coffee is 50 cents. This way, there will be savings to enjoy higher standards of living where.......cost of cars (Toyota Camry) is, say RM80,000."

WH:

"Local current CPI is certainly not reflective of current times, and especially for modern and urban Malaysians living in the cities. Healthcare and housing expenses take a huge slice of an individual's income. You may want to write an article about our current healthcare expenses, which is "ballooning"!! An appendicitis surgery and a 2-day stay in a private hospital would cost around RM7,200 plus. Would a middle income group be able to sustain medical treatment if healthcare costs charged by hospitals are steep and keep on escalating? Hospital charges are spirally way too much on the upside. An article on this would be good reading and provocative, and maybe you can tie this up with medical insurance and state of the industry in this area, perhaps!"

My Response:

Thank you, both, for your relevant comments.

I shall do more research. I shall see what I can do to produce more series of similar subject line. Yes, healthcare and medical treatment costs are exorbitantly high. For example, a single chemotherapy injection costs a few thousand ringgit in a private hospital. Good medication for hypertension and cholesterol control can cost a few hundred ringgit a month. Private education is escalating over time.

Best Regards.