During February 2018, the price of staple goods in Jakarta Capital City experienced an inflation of 0.37 percent. Although the inflation rate in February decreased 0.06 percent compared to January inflation of 0.43 percent, there is still an increase in staple prices in Jakarta.
Based on the official release from BPS DKI Jakarta, in February 2018, prices in Jakarta Capital City experienced inflation of 0.37 percent. The inflation rate of 2018 reached 0.80 percent and the year-on-year inflation rate of DKI Jakarta was 3.19 percent.
Based on data from BPS, there are three expenditure groups that contribute to inflation in DKI Jakarta, namely; foodstuff group 1.11 percent; food, beverage, cigarette and tobacco group 0.74 percent; and clothing group 0.35 percent.
The data above is very worrying especially especially before Ramadhan. Central and local governments must move quickly to stabilize the price of basic commodities so that people can buy, not just rich people who can buy.
The local parliament (DPRD) should be proactive down to see directly the price of basic needs of the community. Listening to the aspirations of the people who can not afford to buy because of the higher prices of basic commodities. Failure to stabilize the price of basic commodities is not only the failure of the region but of the national leadership.
Inflation is not a joke threat, but a threat to the next generation. Imagine when children are malnourished because their parents can not afford to buy food. Other effects will increase crime rates as a result of poverty and unemployment.