We better stick with the 9.2 percent inflation and dont get too excited too soon."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Finance Minister Chatib Basri stated that August`s inflation rate of 1.12 percent that was recently announced by the Central Bureau of Statistics, is below the previous government`s estimation of 1.27 percent.

"Alhamdulillah (Thank God), the previous estimation was 1.27 percent, which means that the inflation is lower than our estimation," said Chatib after his meeting with the Commission XI of the House of Representatives in Jakarta on Monday.

With the August inflation lower than expected, it is optimistic that inflation in September will return to normal.

"If you see the trend here, I believe September is going back to normal. July was 3.3 percent and now only 1.1 percent, so it is expected that the inflation would be below one percent figure in September, back to normal so that the inflation is in line," said Chatib.

Chatib said that the Central Bank, Bank of Indonesia, and the government needs to pay attention to "imported inflation" or inflation caused from price changes abroad, which contributed to inflation in the country.

"What must be maintained is imported inflation which makes rupiah weakened because the quota system abolition would also help to reduce the inflation," he said.

In addition, Chatib also added that although inflation in August began to show smaller numbers than in previous months, it has not changed the previous government`s inflation projection for 2013 of 9.2 percent.

"We better stick with the 9.2 percent inflation and dont get too excited too soon," said Chatib.
(Uu.A050/Uu.INE/KR-BSR/A014)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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