Heaptalk, Jakarta — Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian urged regions with high inflation rates to immediately take control measures.
The appeal was conveyed during the coordination meeting for regional inflation control and free health checks on the birthday program. This event was held hybrid from the Sasana Bhakti Praja Building, the Ministry of Home Affairs Central Office in Jakarta, on Monday (01/20).
Several provinces still have high inflation rates, including Highland Papua, Central Papua, West Papua, Bali, Aceh, North Sumatra, Riau Islands, South Kalimantan, Banten, and Southwest Papua. “Even though only one region, Highland Papua, has an inflation rate above the 3.5% target, this must be addressed,” he explained.
Several regencies with high inflation rates include Jayawijaya, Mimika, South Sorong, Labuhanbatu, Meulaboh, Tanah Laut, Banggai, Berau, Sikka, and Indragiri Hilir. Meanwhile, cities with the highest inflation rates include Gunungsitoli, Sibolga, Pematangsiantar, Lhokseumawe, Denpasar, Sukabumi, Padangsidimpuan, Dumai, Serang, and Bima.
Although not all these regencies/cities have inflation rates above the national target, vigilance is still necessary. Local governments must identify the causes of high inflation in their regions, such as insufficient commodity supply or disrupted distribution.
Furthermore, Tito also reminded local governments to initiate planting movements to increase commodity production centers. This is in light of the rising prices of certain commodities such as red chili and bird’s eye chili. He said, “If this planting movement is carried out if the regional heads care and work on this, the Head of the Agricultural Office can solve it as chili is easy to plant and quick to harvest.”
Similar efforts must also be made for shallot commodities, which still depend on production centers in specific areas such as the Brebes Regency. “It seems there is potential in other regions to produce shallots, which has contributed to inflation,” he concluded.