Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Economist of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) Latif Adam predicted that inflation this year would peak in August because it coincided with the fasting month of Ramadhan and post-fasting Lebaran festivities.

"I think the 0.67 percent inflation in July is controllable but it should be remembered that it is not yet the end because inflation, I think, would peak in August 2011. I have often said that August 2011 is the peak month of inflation," Latif said here on Monday.

He said that the 0.67 percent inflation in July was relatively a small one so that in this case the government deserved appreciation for its efforts to take it under control.

"Many so far have predicted that the inflation in July would exceed the 0.67 percent level, even there has been an estimate which put the inflation at 1.00 percent. All this means that the government has made achievement that deserves appreciation," the LIPI economist said.

The Central Board of Statistics (BPS) disclosed that in July 2011 the inflation rate was recorded at 0.67 percent with the rate of consumer index at 127.35.

Of the 66 consumer index (IHK) cities, 65 cities experienced inflation and one experienced deflation.

The highest inflation took place in Manokwari with a 2.56 percent inflation rate and a consumer index of 142.04. The lowest one took place in Banjarmasin with an inflation rate of 0.03 percent and a consumer index of 131.09.

In the meantime, deflation took place only in Ambon with a rate of 1.20 percent and a consumer index of 132.09.

The calender 2011 inflation rate (January-July) was recorded at 1.74 percent while that of year on year (July 2011 against July 2010) was at 4.61 percent.

The main components in July 2011 underwent inflation by 0.42 percent, the calender 2011 (January - July ) inflation rate of the main components was 2.34 percent and the main components` year on year (July 2011 against July 2010) inflation was recorded at 4.55 percent.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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