PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - Acting West Java Governor Bey Machmudin asked the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) to work more effectively to control inflation ahead of Ramadan Idul Fitri.

According to him, Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr are annual moments. "If we only rely on historical data without any anticipatory reaction, we will only look for reasons to justify it," said Bey Machmudi at the High Level Regional Inflation Control Meeting, at the Hilton Hotel, Bandung City, Wednesday (6/3/2024).

Bey reminded that West Java inflation as of February 2024 was 3.09 percent (year on year), 0.45 percent (month to month), and 0.61 percent (year to date).

On a year-on-year basis, said Bey, West Java inflation is higher than the national level at 2.75 percent.

"I ask TPID to properly understand the factors that influence the high inflation in West Java compared to national inflation," he said.

Bey also reminded TPID to establish intense communication with the Food Task Force.

"Market operations can be carried out as long as the impact can suppress inflation directly. Don't let there be wrong policies," stressed Bey.

Apart from market operations, Bey ordered TPID to intensify the Cheap Food Movement (GPM). Then, Subsidized Cheap Market Operations and other market operations to stabilize prices and fulfill people's food needs in areas prone to poverty.

"(Cheap markets) Don't do it in government offices because then the employees will be bought. Carry out market operations in poverty-prone areas or at least in sub-district/village offices close to the community," said Bey.

Bey also asked regional governments, both provincial and district and city, to prepare social food assistance sourced from the APBD.

"Prepare social food assistance sourced from the provincial and city district budgets with the determination of beneficiaries carried out by social services in a transparent and accountable manner," said Bey

Meanwhile, in an effort to expand digitalization to encourage the implementation of electronification of regional government transactions (ETPD), Bey asked that public literacy be increased.

Especially in payments after transactions, tax payments and non-cash levies to optimize Regional Original Income (PAD).

"Provincial, district, city and financial institutions are carrying out massive campaigns and promotions to increase public awareness about the benefits of digital financial transactions," he said.

Apart from that, digitalization of buying and selling transactions at the SME level also needs to be encouraged in strategic efforts to expand ETPD digitalization.

"The role of provincial, district, city, Bank Indonesia and financial institutions is to encourage the digitalization of financial transactions for SMEs," said Bey.