"We can hope a relatively low rate this year if in February, March and April the inflation rate is low," Head of the Central Board of Statistics (BPS) Rusman Heriawan said.
He said that it would be categorically low if the inflation was at a range between 0.1 to 0.3 percent. Based on the experience so far, the inflation rate in February was lower than that in January.
On the influence of imports on the inflation in the country he said that it would have impact on reducing the inflation rate if world prices were higher than those at home.
"People will not import goods if prices abroad are higher," he said.
Earlier, BPS recorded that the inflation rate in January 2011 stood at 0.89 percent. This rate was higher than that in February 2010 which was 0.84 percent.
With regard to prediction that the government`s plan to cut its subsidized fuel oil consumption would boost inflation, Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said the government will always make an effort to curb the impact of its decision.
"If the policy is not implemented with caution it may have an impact on the inflation rate. Therefore, preparations have been made to limit the use of subsidized fuels beginning from Jakarta,"
He said state oil and gas company Pertamina, along with the Downstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Agency (BPH Migas) and other government agencies kept monitoring preparations to limit the use of subsidized fuels starting April 2011.
"We must try to ensure that the policy to limit the use of subsidized fuels run well. At the start of 2010 we planned to increase power rates but to no avail," he said. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
