PONTIANAK, thekabarnews.com—West Kalimantan’s annual inflation accelerated to 4.35 percent in September 2026. This occurred as higher food prices increased household expenses and raised concerns about purchasing power and employment.

The province recorded month-to-month inflation of 0.79 percent, the highest monthly reading in 17 months. Year-to-date inflation reached 3.64 percent. The Consumer Price Index rose from 111.88 in August to 112.76 in September, according to figures released by Statistics Indonesia’s West Kalimantan office.

The province’s annual inflation exceeded the national rate of 3.28 percent. It also surpassed the upper limit of the government’s 2026 inflation target of 2.5 percent, plus or minus 1 percentage point.

Food remained the largest source of annual price pressure. The food, beverages and tobacco category recorded an inflation of 7.02 percent. As a result, it contributed 2.57 percentage points to the province’s headline figure.

“Rising prices for several food commodities, particularly bird’s eye chili and vegetables, contributed to West Kalimantan’s inflation in September,” BPS West Kalimantan senior statistician Sri Suyatmi said during the agency’s latest statistical briefing.

Bird’s eye chili, water spinach, cooking oil, rice, baung fish and cucumbers were among the main contributors to annual inflation. For the monthly increase, BPS also identified mustard greens and spinach as important drivers.

All 11 expenditure categories registered annual price increases. Transport costs rose 5.58 percent, driven partly by airfares, engine lubricants and vehicle servicing. Personal care and other services increased 4.57 percent, with jewelry and men’s haircuts among the contributing items.

However, the monthly data showed a more mixed pattern. Seven expenditure categories recorded inflation in September, three experienced deflation and education costs remained unchanged. The 0.79 percent monthly rate was the highest since April 2025, when inflation reached 0.95 percent.

Price pressures differed across the five regencies and cities included in West Kalimantan’s CPI calculation. Ketapang recorded the highest annual inflation at 5.20 percent, followed by North Kayong at 4.73 percent and Sintang at 4.45 percent. Pontianak posted inflation of 3.96 percent, while Singkawang recorded the lowest rate at 3.58 percent.

Pontianak Legislative Council Deputy Speaker Yoggy Perdana Putra warned that prolonged price increases could affect more than household spending.

“We must prevent high inflation from creating a chain reaction. Purchasing power could decline, household consumption could weaken, businesses could suffer and, ultimately, their capacity to hire workers could also fall. This is what we must anticipate,” Yoggy said.

The warning comes as the Pontianak administration expands subsidized markets and market operations to stabilize food prices. The city administration has said it will focus on supply distribution and intervene when essential commodity prices rise sharply.

Food is a major source of inflation, so ensuring supply and the affordability of distribution will be key to maintaining household purchasing power in the last quarter of 2026. Additionally, authorities will also have to watch out for any spill-over effects from softer consumption on business activity and employment.