Ministry Of Finance Optimistic Inflation Controlled During Ramadan

Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency of the Ministry of Finance Febrio Kacaribu (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) gave a response regarding the report from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) regarding inflation in February which was at the level of 5.47 percent on an annual basis (year on year/yoy).

Through the Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) of the Ministry of Finance Febrio Kacaribu, state treasure institutions ensure that the latest inflation figures are still in a controlled range.

Febrio explained that based on the core inflation component, it was recorded at 3.09 percent (yoy) or slowed down compared to the previous month's core inflation of 3.27 percent.

The slowdown occurred in almost all non-food and service groups. This is in line with the interest rate policy which did not change in February," he said in a written statement quoted on Thursday, March 2.

Febrio added, for volatile food inflation (volatile food) it was recorded at 7.62 percent yoy which was influenced by seasonal factors and extreme weather.

"To maintain supply stability and food prices, especially rice, chili and shallot prices, the government has procured imports and market operations," he said.

Meanwhile, administrative price inflation last month was at the level of 12.24 percent yoy or lower than in January at 12.28 percent yoy.

"The tariff of air transportation has decreased as the avtur prices have weakened and the entry of low season," he said.

Sri Mulyani's subordinate ensured that the government would continue to communicate policies to maintain inflation expectations in the community, especially during religious and national holidays.

"The government and Bank Indonesia also continue to carry out policy mixes, both at the central and regional levels to maintain national price stability," closed Febrio.