PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The West Java Provincial Government is committed to monitoring and maintaining inflation stability. This is one of the government's obligations to ensure prices remain affordable for the public.

"Why is the government so fussy and has to be consistent in keeping inflation under control because if inflation is not controlled, prices will rise. If prices rise, purchasing power falls. If purchasing power falls, then consumption will fall. "If consumption falls, people will definitely be poor," said West Java Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman when attending the West Java BPS Statistical News Release at the West Java BPS office, Bandung City, Thursday (2/5/2024).

When inflation is controlled, prices tend to remain affordable for the public. In this way, people's purchasing power is maintained because they can buy goods and services at prices that suit their economic capabilities.

Maintained purchasing power will encourage good consumption, which in turn can help reduce poverty levels.

This forms a cycle where controlling inflation is the key to maintaining economic stability and improving people's welfare.

Herman also emphasized four things that really need serious attention. The first is how prices can remain affordable.

Second, the importance of ensuring the supply of goods and services.

Third, effective communication between levels of government, starting from the provincial, district to village level by utilizing data as a basis for communication.

"Finally (fourth), there are districts that are given special attention, which must maintain consistency. "The other thing is that city districts must elaborate and collaborate with the provincial government," he said.

More effective

Herman added, by utilizing statistical data from BPS, the West Java Provincial Government can monitor and control inflation more effectively.

This also makes it possible for district and city governments to play an active role in efforts to control inflation in their respective regions.

On this occasion, Herman also highlighted the importance of statistical literacy in society and ASN which needs to be improved.

Statistical literacy should be an important foundation for effective decision making at the individual, family and government levels.

However, the reality on the ground shows that the level of statistical literacy in society is still limited.

"Friends, BPS is open online, this data can be accessed anytime and anywhere. "The question is, how many people access this data to make decisions in companies, within their families, and furthermore, in government," he said.

"This is homework. We will coordinate with friends from National Library, Ministry of Education, and multi-stakeholders," continued Herman.

According to data, only around 0.01 out of 1,000 Indonesians have an interest in reading.

Herman hopes that this 0.01 will include individuals who are interested in the field of statistics.

"We will consult so that in the future, BPS data can be found in village libraries, in reading parks so that people can be brought closer to statistical data, which in the end they can use. "Of course there must be educational outreach so that people understand," he concluded.