KUALA LUMPUR: The MADANI Government has been commended for its successful efforts to control inflation and manage the rising costs of food and drink, according to Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli. Since assuming power, the administration has managed to maintain a steady inflation rate, particularly in the food and beverage sector. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Rafizi highlighted that the lowest inflation rate for food and drink since the government's change in 2018 was recorded in July at 0.7 percent. This low rate persisted until May 2019, following the abolition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), after which it rose to 1.2 percent. By June 2019, inflation crept above two percent, only to decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced demand. The prices surged from 1.9 percent in October 2021 to 7.2 percent in August 2022. However, a significant decline began in March 2023 with a rate of 6.9 percent, dropping to 4.1 percent in August 2023, two percent in January 2024, and is currently at 1 .6 percent for September 2024. Rafizi also referenced data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM), indicating that between 2011 and 2024, inflation rates ranged between 2 to 5.7 percent. He urged caution against accusations of government manipulation of economic statistics. Additionally, Rafizi addressed concerns about the cost associated with the Central Database Hub (PADU), clarifying that expenditures had reached RM31 million by September, contrary to claims of RM85 million. The expenses included ICT equipment, software, and cloud computing, with significant funds allocated to the user registration initiative, employing MySTEP personnel to facilitate nationwide registration. Rafizi emphasized that PADU's development by civil servants exemplifies cost-efficient government operations, noting that outsourcing could have exponentially increased expenses. PADU facilitates the shift from gross to net expendable income assessment, aiding in determining eligibility for RON95 fuel subsidies. The govern ment's target is to ensure 85 percent of households benefit from these subsidies, with ongoing refinements by the Economic Affairs and Finance Ministries before a final decision by the Cabinet.