Malaysia's low cost of living, relative to other Asean countries, is due to the weakening ringgit and stable inflation levels, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) said.

According to EIU analyst Jon Copestake, the ringgit has weakened significantly against the US dollar over the past five years.

"Other currencies in the region may have remained stable or strengthened," said Copestake, EIU's chief retail and consumer goods analyst, and lead analyst for data and research.

In terms of inflation, Copestake told Malaysiakini, inflation levels have been held in check over the past five years, averaging below four percent...