Fuel Price Hike Drives Highest Inflation in East Kalimantan's PPU

The increase in fuel prices has been identified as a key factor behind the rising inflation in Penajam Paser Utara (PPU) Regency, which is now the highest in East Kalimantan Province. According to data released by the PPU Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the year-to-date inflation rate for the region reached 2.71% up to June 2026. This figure surpasses other monitored areas in the province, including Samarinda at 2.63%, Balikpapan at 2.24%, and Berau Regency at 1.53%.

Krisna Aditama, Head of the Economy and Natural Resources Division at the PPU Regional Secretariat, stated on Monday that this year-to-date figure is a serious concern for the PPU government, prompting efforts to strengthen market price control strategies. He noted that while the cumulative inflation is the highest, the month-to-month inflation for June 2026 was relatively contained at 0.39%, lower than Balikpapan’s 0.86% and Samarinda’s 0.72%.

Year-on-year inflation for PPU stood at 2.96%, which was below Samarinda’s 3.53% and Berau’s 3.35%, but slightly above Balikpapan’s 2.80%. The main contributors to the monthly inflation in PPU were fuel prices, which accounted for a 0.23% share, followed by shallots, cooking oil, cayenne pepper, and household fuel.

Conversely, several commodities experienced price declines that helped curb a higher inflation rate. The largest deflationary contributor was purebred chicken meat, followed by watermelon, green mustard greens, tuna, and tomatoes. The PPU government, together with the Regional Inflation Control Team, is intensifying low-cost market operations and monitoring distributor stock levels to ensure stable supply chains and maintain public purchasing power.