BPS: November Inflation Figure Stands at 1.5%

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) said that Indonesia's inflation figure for November 2014 stands at 1.50 percent, while the nationwide Consumer Price Index (IHK) figure stands at 116.14.

The Head of BPS, Suryamin, said through a press release on Monday, December 1, 2014 said that prices rose the most in Padang, West Sumatra, where inflation was recorded at 3.44 percent, while IHK stood at 122.76. Meanwhile, Manokwari in Papua saw the least price hike across the nation - inflation stood at 0,07 percent while the Manokwari's IHK stood at 110.63 percent.

According to BPS figures, Indonesia's inflation figure is driven by increases in the prices of basic necessities. The prices of food rose by 2.15 percent, while drinks, instant food and tobacco products rose by 0.71 percent. Electricity, gas, water and fuel rates rose by 0.49 percent, healthcare costs rose by 0.43 percent, while costs for education, sports, and recreations rose by 0.08 percent.

Similarly, the prices of services in the transportation, communications, and financial services sector rose by 4.29 percent. "That said, crop prices have fallen by 0.08 percent in the same period," said Suryamin, who noted similar drops in the prices of chicken, fresh fish, gold, jewelries and airfares.

The increasing inflation have caused the prices of certain commodities to rise - including red chillies, rice, spinach, long beans, and water spinach, among others. Other costs that are set to rise in the near future includes inter-city transportation services, electric utilities, as well as capital transfer and automatic teller machine (ATM) fees.

URSULA FLORENE SONIA | TRI SUSANTO