The City Government Of Samarinda Is Focused On Pressing The Inflation Rate

Samarinda Mayor Andi Harun. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The City Government (Pemkot) of Samarinda, East Kalimantan, is concentrating on suppressing the inflation rate, although last September inflation was still 5.27 percent on an annual basis or below the national inflation of 5.95 percent. "The Samarinda City Government is still concentrating on controlling inflation, including by strengthening consolidation through cooperation in identifying basic needs that are still imported from outside Samarinda," said Samarinda Mayor Andi Harun in Samarinda, quoted from Antara, Monday, October 17. He has even directed Echelon II officials to village heads throughout Samarinda to focus on controlling inflation so that in the future there will be no price spikes, especially various food needs that are often volatile, such as chilies, shallots, garlic, and other commodities imported from outside. Although inflation in Samarinda is still below the national figure, he asked the local Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) to remain vigilant, because many basic necessities are still imported from outside the region. For this reason, TPID Samarinda must coordinate to make it easier to control inflation, then re-establish cooperation between regions, especially for food commodities that are prone to volatile, so that food needs are easier to come when needed. The former member of the East Kalimantan Provincial DPRD also reminded the relevant agencies to intensify the movement to grow chilies, tomatoes and vegetables in the yard either using pots, polybags, hydroponics, or directly in the yard. This method is believed to reduce the inflation rate, because inflation occurs when demand is high, but the stock is limited. Meanwhile, if many residents plant themselves in their yard, it is certain that the number of requests will decrease. Another effort that can be made is to take advantage of a budget of Rp. 19.2 billion, namely funds from the central government for regions that have managed to control inflation below the national average, including the city of Samarinda. "These funds can be spent again to support social networks such as assistance for the poor, can be maintained for other expenditures whose purpose is to control the pace of inflation," said Andi Harun.