And whatever an increase might mean for business, he said, "I don't see how people can live on that."
That is because a large increase would mean a stronger economy.
For a married couple with two children earning $100,000 a year, the increase would mean about $400 in new taxes, officials said.
An increase in the index means prices have on average increased.
But the increase does not mean an epidemic, he said.
An increase means the generation of heat and must be done slowly.
"An increase in the personal exemption means more to them than to someone with higher income."
The increase will mean an additional $4.9 million in premiums for the company.
Further increases in population meant that a new church was needed.
For Malaysia, such an increase means an extra $160 million.