JAKARTA: High inflation in some regions across the country needs immediate intervention to avoid untoward consequences, President Joko Widodo said.
Joko, affectionately known as Jokowi, said authorities at the districts and cities need to conduct interventions, reported the Antara news agency.
He said this at a meeting on inflation control with all regional heads at the State Palace here on Monday.
"Five out of the 10 provinces, be careful. Please observe them thoroughly. These five provinces are in Sumatra," Jokowi said, adding that the inflation rate is influenced by the increase in food prices.
"We should know the consequences of inflation, especially those related to food prices. The contribution of food prices to poverty is 74 percent. Once food prices rise, it means that poverty (rate) in a region will also increase," he explained.
He urged all regional heads in provinces, districts, and cities throughout the country to be aware of their food supply chains.
Jokowi had also instructed that two percent of the General Transfer Fund (DTU) comprising the General Allocation Fund (DAU) and the Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH) be used to overcome inflation.
The 10 districts and cities with the highest inflation rates are Luwuk at 7.8 percent; Jambi, 7.8 percent; Kotabaru, 7.5 percent; Sampit, 7.5 percent; Tanjung Selor, 7.4 percent; Jayapura, 7.4 percent; Sintang, 7.4 percent; Bungo, 7.2 percent; Padang, 7.1 percent; and Sibolga, 6.9 percent.
The provinces with the highest inflation are Jambi, at 7.7 percent; West Sumatra, 7.1 percent; Central Kalimantan, 6.9 percent; Maluku, 6.7 percent; Papua, 6.5 percent; Bali, 6.4 percent; Central Sulawesi, 6.2 percent; West Nusa Tenggara, 5.9 percent; Riau, 5.9 percent; and South Kalimantan, 5.8 percent.