Consumer prices fluctuate

Consumer prices fluctuate

JAKARTA (JP): Consumer prices in Jakarta fluctuated from the
second week of January to yesterday, according to a city economic
bureau survey.

The price of rice fell 2.7 percent to 11.1 percent while
sugar, salted fish and flour rose by between 3.3 percent and 5.8
percent.

Vegetables rose between 0.8 percent to 8.6 percent. While
fruits like Ambon bananas, Malang apples and Medan oranges
increased sharply by between 2.9 percent to 12.5 percent.

A North Jakarta municipality survey confirmed milkfish rose to
Rp 8,000 a kg from Rp 7,000 a kg. Garlic rose by between Rp 8,000
to Rp 9,000 a kg from Rp 6,500 a kg.

A councilor of Indonesian Democratic Party observed earlier
this month the urgency of conducting market operations to curb
consumer prices rising. Sahala P. Sinaga said prices would rise
unless the agency conducted operations immediately.

Consumer good prices rose in December because of increased
demand for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Indonesian Consumer Foundation said price hikes before New
Year would continue until Idul Fitri in early February. (11)