Malang, en.SERU.co.id – According to the latest release from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the Consumer Price Index (CPI/IHK) for Malang City in February 2026 experienced monthly inflation of 0.74% (month-to-month/mtm). This marks a reversal from January 2026, which saw deflation of 0.10% (mtm).
The surge was primarily influenced by rising prices in key food commodities—such as rawit chili (cabai rawit), broiler chicken meat (daging ayam ras), broiler chicken eggs (telur ayam ras), and red chili (cabai merah)—alongside increases in gold jewelry prices.
Indra Kuspriyadi, Head of the Bank Indonesia Malang Representative Office (KPwBI Malang), stated that this resulted in an annual inflation rate of 4.81% (year-on-year/yoy) for Malang City. This figure sits below East Java province’s annual inflation of 4.88% (yoy) but slightly above the national annual inflation of 4.76% (yoy).
“The February 2026 CPI inflation was mainly driven by price increases in the Food, Beverages, and Tobacco group, contributing 0.48% (mtm) to inflation,” Indra explained in an official statement to SERU.co.id.
Key Inflation Drivers (by Commodity and Contribution mtm):
- Rawit chili: +0.20%
- Gold jewelry: +0.17%
- Broiler chicken meat: +0.10%
- Broiler chicken eggs: +0.07%
- Red chili: +0.02%
The food price hikes stemmed from reduced supply due to high rainfall disrupting production, combined with rising demand as Ramadan 1447 H approached (with increased household preparation for fasting and Eid celebrations). Gold price rises aligned with ongoing global commodity trends.
Offsetting Factors (Deflationary Commodities mtm):
Several items helped moderate the overall inflation:
- Gasoline: -0.05% (due to February 1, 2026 adjustments lowering non-subsidized fuel prices like Pertamax, Pertamax Turbo, Pertamax Green, Dexlite, and Pertamina Dex)
- Carrots: -0.01%
- White mustard greens/pecay/pitsai: -0.01%
- Shallots (bawang merah): -0.01%
- Train fares: -0.01% (from PT KAI’s 30% discount program to support Eid 2026 travel)
These declines reflected stable vegetable supplies and targeted transport subsidies.
Inflation Control Measures and Coordination
Malang’s inflation pressures in February 2026 remained aligned with provincial and national trends, thanks to strong collaboration within the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID). Key actions included:
- Simultaneous Cheap Food Market (GPM Serentak) on February 13, 2026.
- Extended GPM operations from February 23 to March 17, 2026, across 34 locations.
- Continuous monitoring of staple food prices throughout February.
- Market inspections by the Malang City Food Task Force on February 19 to verify supply availability.
- Facilitation of distribution cost subsidies and GPM events.
- Participation in provincial High-Level Meetings (HLM) for TPID & TP2DD on February 26.
- Weekly coordination meetings with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Looking ahead to the Eid al-Fitr national religious holiday in March, TPID plans to intensify price monitoring and conduct market operations to stabilize essential goods prices.
Ongoing synergy between central and local governments, Bank Indonesia, and programs like the National Food Inflation Control Movement (GNPIP)—plus the 4K pillars (Affordability, Availability, Smooth Distribution, Effective Communication)—aim to keep inflation within the national target range of 2.5% ± 1% (yoy). (rhd)
