Inflation<\/p>\n
From Jayakarta<\/p>\n
According to economic science, the higher the demand for a
\ncommodity, the lower its price will be. Development economics
\nalso teaches us that development which steps up production and
\nservices will result in lower tariffs.<\/p>\n
However, in this country the reality is different.<\/p>\n
An example: the number of haj pilgrims increases every year,
\nbut the government invariably charges more every year for the
\npilgrimage. The reason given is that inflation and the dwindling
\nvalue of the rupiah compared to foreign currencies. However, to
\ncharter five airplanes is clearly much cheaper than hiring one.<\/p>\n
Another example: this year, the Head of Logistics Affairs has
\nannounced, and seemingly given the order, that until February
\nrice prices will go up. The dry season and again inflation have
\nbeen given as the cause of the increase. As a result, rice prices
\nhave gradually gone up. However, each time crops falls short of
\nthe target, rice is imported from abroad. And imported rice is
\nclearly cheaper. Let us hope that the logistics agency does not
\ncome with the excuse that there are crop failures all over the
\nworld. There are always officials who want to have the last word.<\/p>\n
Why should every price increase be linked with inflation and
\nthe dwindling value of the rupiah? Yearly inflation and reduced
\nvalue of currency are experienced by nearly all countries. But
\nofficials and economists in the U.S., for example, fight to come
\nto grips with problems such as those of foreign trade. The result
\nwas that the value of the U.S. dollar got a boost.<\/p>\n
Criticism has been heard recently about officials who do not
\nfunction well in their respective fields. An example: this
\nrepublic is the largest island country in the world, but its
\nforeign shipping is 95 percent dominated by foreign ships, while
\nnational shipping has a 50 percent right acknowledged by the UN
\nand UNCTAD. The share must be fought for because it will yield a
\ntremendous increase in foreign exchange and thus in the value of
\nthe rupiah.<\/p>\n
Also, sea transport for the domestic trade dwindled to 60
\npercent in the past decade, while it should be 90 percent.
\nForeign shipping now takes 40 percent.<\/p>\n
Foreign and domestic shipping is the responsibility of the
\ncommunications ministry and the directorate general of sea
\ncommunications. Officials and economists should continue to fight
\nas tenaciously as their colleagues in the U.S. so as to raise the
\nvalue of the rupiah and to curb inflation. The value of the
\nrupiah and inflation should not be made the scapegoats by certain
\nofficials who are in the habit of increasing prices and tariffs.<\/p>\n
MOELYONO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/inflation-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }