Jakarta (ANTARA) - Home Affairs Minister Muhammad Tito Karnavian has lauded North Maluku for becoming the province with the lowest inflation level in Indonesia.
"North Maluku has an inflation reduction of 3.23 percent. It even becomes (the region with) the lowest (inflation) among all provinces in Indonesia," he said during a coordination meeting for inflation control in the regions at the ministry's Sasana Bhakti Praja Building here on Monday.
The meeting was followed virtually by regional heads across Indonesia.
During the meeting, Karnavian also asked West Sumatra Governor to pay attention to inflation in the province, which is quite high. The annual inflation (October 2021–October 2022) in West Sumatra has been recorded at 7.87 percent.
"I understand that even though the West Sumatra Governor has made many interventions in the field, maybe there are several obstacles so that it needs support from the central (government)," he said.
The inflation in West Sumatra has been triggered by the increase in the price of rice and several other food commodities. This has occurred despite the province recording a surplus rice production.
The price increase may have been triggered by high demand for the commodity from neighboring regions, such as Riau and Riau Islands, with relatively higher selling prices, the minister observed. Thus, many farmers or entrepreneurs may have sold rice to neighboring regions considering it more profitable.
Based on data from the Directorate General of Regional Finance of the Home Affairs Ministry, as of November 4, 2022, nationally, the total unexpected expenses fund has been pegged at Rp17,515.82 trillion. However, so far, the realization has only reached 12.74 percent of the allocated fund, or Rp2,231.68 trillion.
The realization at the province level has been recorded at 6.25 percent or Rp611.60 billion. Meanwhile, at the district level, the realization has reached 22.62 percent or Rp1,302.32 trillion, and at the city level, 16.09 percent or Rp317.76 billion.
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