Palm | Kelapa Sawit

KUALA LUMPUR, August 19 (Reuters) - Malaysia's annual inflation rate probably hit a 27-1/2-year high in July due to higher fuel and electricity tariffs, but analysts see only a small chance of an interest rate rise next week, a poll showed.

Consumer prices in July likely climbed 7.8 percent from a year earlier, the median forecast of the Reuters poll showed, the steepest rise since a gain of 8.2 percent in January 1981.

The median forecast of the poll of 13 economists placed the probability for a 25 basis point interest rate hike at 10 percent when the central bank meets on Aug. 25.

Five of the 13 polled ruled out a rate hike. Two said there was a 10 percent chance of an increase, six others placed the probability at 50 percent or more.