JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - Indonesia posted inflation of 0.23 percent in February, lower than the previous month 0.97%, led by electricity and cigarette prices, the Central Bureau of Statistic (BPS) announced.
On year on year basis, the inflation was recorded at 3.83 percent, Head of BPS, Suhariyanto said at the press conference on Wednesday (01/03).
Last month inflation was driven by the increase of most expenditure groups, especially housing, water, electricity, gas, and fuel by 0.75 percent. However, staple food prices recorded deflation 0.31 percent as government managed to control food prices, Suhariyanto said.
The core inflation in February 2017 stood at 0.37 percent month to month or 3.41 percent year on year. While, administered prices component recorded inflation 0.58 percent. On year on year basis, it reached 4.74 percent, higher than general inflation.
Previously, Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Agus Martowardojo warned the inflation in 2017 would be higher than the last year 3.02 percent, led by administered prices component. However, BI expects inflation rate by the end of this year stayed within the forecast range 3 to 5 percent. (*)