August Inflation Down at 1.12 Pct

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Inflation was down at 1.12 percent, from 3.29 percent in July, according to the National Statistics Agency on Monday.

"August's inflation is down compared to July, which means that efforts to control it are showing significant results," said the agency's chief, Suryamin, here on Monday.

He added that although inflation had dropped in August, it is still relatively high compared to the past two years.  "In 2011, August's inflation was recorded at 0.93, while in 2012, it was at 0.95 percent," he said.

Suryamin said general inflation contributed 1.12 percent while core inflation 0.6 percent, administered prices 0.12 percent and price volatility 0.4 percent.

In terms of spending groups, foods contributed 0.45 percent, which is the highest to the August inflation, while transportation,  communication and financial services stood at 0.16 percent.

Processed foods, beverages, cigarette and tobacco contributed 0.12 percent, housing, water, electricity, gas and fuels 0.16 percent.

Clothing recorded an inflation of 0.13 percent while health 0.01 percent, education, recreation and sports 0.09 percent.'
   
Based on them, the calendar year inflation from January to August reached 7.94 percent while year-on-year inflation at 8.79 percent.

Inflation of core components in August was recorded at 1.01 percent while year-on-year inflation at 4.48 percent.

Suryamin said all 66 cities covered by the Consumer Price Index recorded an inflation with the highest in Sorong, Papua, at 6.47 percent followed by Ambon in Maluku at 4.79 percent while the lowest inflation was recorded in Pangkalpinang, Riau Islands, at 0.15 percent.

"Sorong records the highest inflation because of a hike in the prices of shallot and chili while the high inflation in Ambon was caused by prices of fresh fish and vegetables and high airfare in Ambon," he said.  (*/DWA)