ID :
58627
Sat, 05/02/2009 - 06:10
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/58627
The shortlink copeid
BPS: 2009 INFLATION MAY BE BELOW 6 PCT
Jakarta, May 1 (ANTARA) - The Central Statistics Board (BPS) has predicted the on-year inflation rate in 2009 may fall short of the government-set target of 6 percent.
"The inflation rate of 0.05 percent in the first four months of 2009 sends a good signal that the inflation rate this year may be 6 percent or even lower than the government-set target if the current situation continue to prevail throughout the year," BPS Chief Rusman Heriawan said in a press conference here on Friday.
The low inflation rate could be achieved if the government did not issue policies that might lead to a rise in the prices of commodities and eventually would have a far-reaching impact on the prices of other commodities, he said.
"If we want to maintain low inflation rate throughout this year the government must refrain from issuing a shocking policy that will have a high multiplier effect, for instance, an increase in fuel prices," he said.
It seemed that the government would not be tempted into raising fuel oil prices although the global crude prices stood at US$70 per barrel, he said.
"Although global crude prices are nearing US$50 or even US$70 a barrel the government will not raise the fuel oil prices. But I don't know what will happen if the global crude prices exceed US$70 a barrel," he said.
He also asked the government not to raise electricity tariffs to keep low inflation rate throughout this year.
The threat to inflation rate in the months ahead would be seasonal in nature, including a rise in tuition fees, and an increase in the prices of commodities during the fasting month of Ramadhan, he said.
The BPS announced earlier in the day the country recorded a deflation of 0.31 percent, bringing the calendar inflation rate to 0.05 percent and the year-on-year inflation rate to 7.31 percent.
***
"The inflation rate of 0.05 percent in the first four months of 2009 sends a good signal that the inflation rate this year may be 6 percent or even lower than the government-set target if the current situation continue to prevail throughout the year," BPS Chief Rusman Heriawan said in a press conference here on Friday.
The low inflation rate could be achieved if the government did not issue policies that might lead to a rise in the prices of commodities and eventually would have a far-reaching impact on the prices of other commodities, he said.
"If we want to maintain low inflation rate throughout this year the government must refrain from issuing a shocking policy that will have a high multiplier effect, for instance, an increase in fuel prices," he said.
It seemed that the government would not be tempted into raising fuel oil prices although the global crude prices stood at US$70 per barrel, he said.
"Although global crude prices are nearing US$50 or even US$70 a barrel the government will not raise the fuel oil prices. But I don't know what will happen if the global crude prices exceed US$70 a barrel," he said.
He also asked the government not to raise electricity tariffs to keep low inflation rate throughout this year.
The threat to inflation rate in the months ahead would be seasonal in nature, including a rise in tuition fees, and an increase in the prices of commodities during the fasting month of Ramadhan, he said.
The BPS announced earlier in the day the country recorded a deflation of 0.31 percent, bringing the calendar inflation rate to 0.05 percent and the year-on-year inflation rate to 7.31 percent.
***
