TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Representative Office of Bank Indonesia revealed that at the beginning of Ramadan, the rate of inflation started going up, but still under control. The increase of demand relating to Ramadan consumption activities and Eid preparation causes the inflation to reach 0.49 percent in May (month to month).
“The trend of rising prices along with rate adjustment of administered prices and hospital charges causes slightly higher inflation compared to the average inflation rate a month before Eid three years ago with 0.43 percent (month to month),” Bank Indonesia official Doni P. Joewono said on Friday, June 2.
Doni went on explaining that the rate is also higher compared to national inflation of the same month 2017 as much as 0.39 percent (month to month). Jakarta inflation rate since the beginning of the year is recorded at 1.85 percent (year to date) or 4 percent (year on year).
He said that the increasing prices of most of the volatile foods served as the main factor to fuel this inflation. The price of eggs is reported to increase to 7 percent, chicken to 3.46 percent, beef to 5.57 percent, and garlic soaring up to 19.79 percent.
In addition, the price increase in hospital charges, derivative products, electricity charges and transportation charges push the inflation rate up.
GHOIDA RAHMAH
