Lafarge Malayan Cement Bhd, Malaysia’s largest cement producer by volume, is increasing the recommended retail prices for its bagged cement products by MYR1 per 50kg bag, or MYR20 a ton, from August 1 until year-end, the Star newspaper reported Tuesday.
 
The daily quoted Lafarge President and Chief Executive Bi Yong Chungunco as saying the adjustment had to be made to alleviate some of the company’s major cost increases such as coal and fuel.
 
Cement prices in the country rose an average 17% last month following the government’s move to remove cement as a controlled item.