Other factors that brought inflationary pressure were higher prices for food, beverages and tobacco. Core inflation has remained stable at around 5 percent (y/y) since March.

Previously, analysts had estimated that Indonesian inflation would climb to around 7 percent (y/y) in May on the back of higher transportation costs and traditional price pressures ahead of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan (which is set to start in June). However, few analysts expected to see a 0.50 percent (m/m) inflation rate in May.

The Ramadan month, subsequent Idul Fitri celebrations and the start of the new school year always bring heightened inflationary pressure in Indonesia in the June-August period.

In January 2015, the Indonesian government basically scrapped its decade-old fuel subsidy scheme for low-octane gasoline (premium), instead determining a monthly price that fluctuates in line with global oil prices. However, the government decided that the price of premium would stay at IDR 7,300 (USD $0.55) per liter in June, despite higher global oil prices, in consideration of the people. Given the slowing economy and seasonal price pressures during the Ramadan, the government left the price unchanged.

Bank Indonesia targets inflation in the range of 4.0 to 5.0 percent (y/y) in 2015. In mid-May, the central bank kept its benchmark interest rate (BI rate) at 7.50 percent in a bid to combat high inflation, the wide current account deficit, and limit possible capital outflows ahead of looming monetary tightening in the USA.

 Inflation in Indonesia:

Month  Monthly Growth
          2013
 Monthly Growth
          2014
 Monthly Growth
          2015
January          1.03%          1.07%         -0.24%
February          0.75%          0.26%         -0.36%
March          0.63%          0.08%          0.17%
April         -0.10%         -0.02%          0.36%
May         -0.03%          0.16%          0.50%
June          1.03%          0.43%
July          3.29%          0.93%
August          1.12%          0.47%
September         -0.35%          0.27%
October          0.09%          0.47%
November          0.12%          1.50%
December          0.55%          2.46%
Total          8.38%          8.36%          0.42%

Source: Statistics Indonesia (BPS)

Inflation in Indonesia 2008-2014:

     2008    2009    2010    2011    2012    2013    2014
Inflation
(annual percent change)
    9.8     4.8     5.1     5.4     4.3     8.4     8.4

Source: World Bank

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