PETALING JAYA: The Building Materials Cost Index (BCI) with and without steel bars increased between 0.2% and 3.9% month-on-month for all building categories in January for Peninsular Malaysia.

       Statistics Department chief statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the same trend could be seen for Sabah and Sarawak, which increased between 0.1% and 3.9%, and 0.1% and 3.4%, respectively.

       Steel prices were higher during the month, with Kota Kinabalu recording the highest increase at 2.4% followed by Johor (1.8%), Miri (1.0%), Kuching (0.5%) and Selangor, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Negri Sembilan (0.2%).

       Cement prices increased 2% in January 2022 with Tawau recording the highest increase at 5.6% followed by Sandakan (4.3%), Miri (3.6%), Kuching (3.4%), Kota Kinabalu (2.7%), Terengganu and Kelantan (0.9%), followed by Selangor, the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Melaka and Negri Sembilan (0.6%), Johor (0.3%) and Penang, Kedah and Perlis (0.2%).

       The department said the index of component copper cables increased between 0.4% and 1.5% in January 2022 compared to December 2021.

       According to the department, based on the World Bank Commodities Price data, metals and minerals such as aluminium and copper showed increases in January compared to the previous month. It is conducting the Household Income, Expenditure and Basic Amenities Survey 2022 from Jan 1 until Dec 31. For further info, visit www.dosm.gov.my. — Bernama