Jun 23, 2008. /Lesprom.com/. Malaysia's price of paper, stationery, printing and packaging products increased by 10% to 40% from June 22, and possibly by 50% by the end of the year, The Star Online informed. The Malaysia Paper Merchants Association, Selangor & Federal Territory Chinese Printing Presses' Association, Malaysia Printers Association and the Selangor & Kuala Lumpur Stationers & Booksellers Association jointly announced the increase on June 21. Selangor & Federal Territory Chinese Printing Presses' Association secretary Alexander Lee told reporters at a press conference that the price hike was inevitable. "There has been a tremendous increase in the global price of raw materials, especially pulp. "The industry has tried to absorb the global raw material price surge without increasing product prices, but it cannot sustain this anymore," he said.