President Jokowi Announces Joint Leave, Head Of BPS Puts Up Horses: Get Ready For High Inflation!

JAKARTA – The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) highlighted the inflation growth rate which continues to show an upward trend, especially during the momentum of Ramadan this time.

Head of the BPS, Margo Yuwono believes that one of the drivers of the growing inflation rate is the increasing consumption pattern of the people. Moreover, the government has set a policy of long collective leave for the upcoming Eid al-Fitr.

"The President also announced yesterday that there will be a holiday, this will definitely increase demand and this will increase inflation that occurred in the April and May periods," he said in a virtual discussion on Thursday, April 7.

According to Margo, the inflation rate has actually been going on for a long time. In his notes, the inflation rate had slowed in the previous two Ramadans because the government had tightened mobility rules for people celebrating religious holidays.

“The inflation trend in the last two fasts is lower than the previous fasts. So, later, we will also want to know during this fasting month from April to May to Eid day, what kind of inflation factor is," he said.

Furthermore, although BPS usually only provides reports based on records of events that have occurred, with a number of current indicators the potential for soaring inflation is unavoidable.

"If you look at the existing trend, there will definitely be high inflation again because mobility has started to improve," said Margo.

According to VOI records, in March 2022 there was inflation of 2.64 percent on an annual basis (year on year / yoy) or compared to March 2021.

This level is the highest number since April 2020 at which time there was an annual inflation of 2.67 percent.

Meanwhile, on a monthly basis (mtm), inflation in March 2022 was recorded at 0.66 percent, a significant jump from February 2022 with deflation of minus 0.02 percent.

Meanwhile, on a calendar year basis or from January to March 2022, the inflation rate is 1.20 percent.