Governor Zainal Arifin Paliwang Calls Inflation In Kaltara Impulsed By The Increase In Transportation Tariffs

The Governor of North Kalimantan, Zainal Arifin Paliwang. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Governor of North Kalimantan, Zainal Arifin Paliwang, said that inflation in Kaltara was influenced by the increase in transportation plots due to the adjustment of subsidized fuel prices in early September. "This increase in inflation can be held higher thanks to the increasing supply of food, beverage and tobacco groups, along with the start of the harvest season in several horticultural commodity-producing areas both locally and outside the Kaltara region," said Zainal in Tanjung Selor, Bulungan, quoted from Antara, Thursday, October 13. In September 2022, Kaltara experienced 1.04 percent inflation (mtm), after 0.58 percent deflation in the previous month (mtm), with two IHK cities, namely Tarakan and Tanjung Selor, experiencing inflation of 0.97 percent (mtm) and 1.32 percent (mtm), respectively. The rising inflationary pressure is thought to stem from increased pressure on transportation, food, beverage and tobacco groups, as well as electricity, water, electricity, gas and other fuel housing. Of the total 90 National IHK City, Tarakan and Tanjung Selor were ranked 58 and 22 of the highest inflation, respectively. Based on data from the Bank Indonesia Representative Office (KPwBI) Kaltara, transportation groups contributed 1.04 percent to inflation, especially in gasoline commodities (0.94 percent) as well as river, lake and ferry transportation (0.04 percent). "The increase in inflation in transportation groups which is part of the administration price or price regulated by the government is mainly influenced by subsidized fuel adjustments in early September," said Zainal. The adjustment affects not only the transportation costs of rivers, lakes, and crossings, but also affects air transportation and land transportation prices. Meanwhile, other Housing, Water, Electric, and Fuel Groups contributed 0.01 percent. On the other hand, the deflation of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Group with a share of 0.06 percent. The deflation in the food, beverage and tobacco group was caused by deflation in several commodities, especially in cayenne pepper (-0.16 percent), shallots (-0.08 percent), broiler chicken (-0.05 percent), and milkfish (-0.02 percent). The governor revealed that the inflation control program must continue to be carried out by local governments through TPID in order to maintain the inflation rate of Kaltara. He asked for the coordination between local governments, Bank Indonesia, and related institutions that are members of TPID in the Kaltara Province to continue to be strengthened. “ In the future, inflation will be maintained so that it is on target of inflation in 2022, namely 3.0±1 percent. Currently, TPID Kaltara together with BI Kaltara have carried out a movement to plant a million Kaltara chili trees in Juwata, Tarakan,” said Zainal.