The city inflation rate since early year until April continues to decline. Even, last April, the economic growth was only at 0.02 percent. It is lower than national statistic, which posted about 0.09 percent.

I f the food demand is restricted, this is surely impossible

Jakarta Central Statistics Agency (BPS) Head, Thoman Pardosi said the city's economic growth is more influenced by the supply of foodstuffs. Thus market price keeps declining and hit inflation at -1.14 percent.

"Chili for instance, it had hit Rp 115,000, and now has dropped around 45 percent. Additionally, the health group also donates -0.22 percent," he stated, Tuesday (5/2).

Approaching Ramadhan by the end of May, he furthered, food supply must be wary in order to avoid scarcity of stock in the market. Thus the rising basic electricity tariff (TDL) that triggers inflation could be offset by supply of foodstuffs.

"If the food demand is restricted, this is surely impossible. So the important thing is the government must maintain the supply," he stated.