Tito Appreciates 2.42 Per Cent Inflation, Urges Local Governments to Remain Vigilant of Geopolitics

The Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has expressed appreciation for the positive achievement of national inflation in April 2026, which was successfully maintained at a level of 2.42 per cent year-on-year.

Despite this, he warned all local governments (Pemda) not to become complacent and to increase vigilance by conducting direct field monitoring to anticipate the impact of global geopolitical dynamics on price stability.

“We are still grateful that year-on-year inflation is still at 2.42 per cent in April, but in this month of May, we must closely observe developments, especially the impacts of rising oil prices and currency exchange rates,” he stated during the 2026 Inflation Control Coordination Meeting, held alongside discussions on Non-Physical Special Allocation Funds (DAK) for Food and Drug Supervision at the Ministry of Home Affairs office in Jakarta on Monday (18/5).

Tito explained that Indonesia’s current inflation achievement remains highly controlled compared to several other countries facing extreme inflationary pressures due to global economic volatility. According to him, this condition demonstrates the effectiveness of inflation control measures implemented through coordinated efforts between the central and regional governments.

“There are countries that have reached 612 per cent; imagine all prices of goods and services increasing sixfold, while we are at 2.42 per cent, meaning inflation is controlled,” he emphasised.

He also noted that the transport sector was the highest contributor to monthly inflation during this period. Meanwhile, the expenditure group for food, beverages, and tobacco remained relatively stable, acting as a balancing factor in keeping inflationary pressures under control.

As an anticipatory measure, the Minister of Home Affairs requested local governments, particularly in regions with inflation rates above the target such as West Papua and Aceh, to immediately resolve food distribution issues. This is specifically related to red chilli commodities, which remain one of the factors triggering price increases in several regions.