Peaks in Indonesia's inflation volatility correlate with administered price adjustments. Energy prices (fuel and electricity) are set by the government and therefore do not float according to market conditions, meaning that the resulting deficit has to be absorbed by subsidies. This puts serious pressure on the government's annual budget deficit and also limits public spending in more long-term productive matters, such as infrastructure and social expenditures. Moreover, rearranging energy subsidies implies political risks as social unrest emerges inflicted by inflationary pressures. One characteristic of Indonesia is that a large quantity of its population is clustered just above the poverty line, meaning that a relatively minor inflationary shock can push them below that line. When the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono administration decided to reduce its massive fuel subsidies in late 2005 due to the rising international oil price, it soon led to double-digit inflation rates of between 14 and 19 percent (year on year) until October 2006. Furthermore, the country's core inflation has been volatile as well because of second round effects of energy price adjustments that pass through to the broader economy (for example through rising transportation costs).

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