JAKARTA - An economic observer from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Mulawarman University (Unmul) Muhammad Ikbal said that the disbursement of the 13th salary for state civil servants (ASN) throughout the country is very appropriate in July 2022.
"The impact is very significant, moreover it is given to ASN who have a medium to lower economic scale. That is very helpful," said Ikbal as quoted from ANTARA, Wednesday, July 6.
Ikbal reasoned why the disbursement time in July was considered appropriate. First, parents really need money for their children to go to school.
"Moreover, school children are face-to-face, which means they have to buy school necessities such as bags, clothes, shoes and then other necessities such as tutoring," he explained.
Second, entering the middle of July, there is the momentum of Eid al-Adha, where some will buy cows or goats, and if not they have to buy other necessities, namely kitchen needs.
The disbursement of the 13th salary, said Ikbal, will increase public consumption.
"A maximum of one to two percent in July or August will experience an increase, especially in the trade sector because there is consumption which is quite large and ahead of Eid al-Adha later," he explained.
Unlike two years ago (2020 and 2021), he said, people are more likely to withhold money from shopping because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The data obtained is around Rp. 28 trillion to Rp. 30 trillion in funds issued by the government to stimulate the economy in terms of paying this 13th salary," he said.
He also added that the increase in basic electricity tariffs and restrictions on electricity billing did not have much effect on the economy of the lower middle class.
Meanwhile, what is quite significant is the increase in gas prices of 3 kilograms.
"Well, the government should have refrained from increasing gas prices and leading to an increase in the basic electricity tariff, which is intended for the upper middle class," he said.
Ikbal admitted that limiting metallurgy while still not removing metallicite was a good step with a note that it was necessary to pay attention to the process in the field that must indeed lead to the lower middle class.
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