Stealthily, the cost of basic household items has been on the rise, triggered by three factors: last January, the government imposed the Luxury Goods Tax on a number of household goods; the rupiah has weakened; and several commodities are in short supply.

A gallon of Aqua mineral water, for instance, can only be taken home now for Rp7,200, compared to Rp6,000 previously. A 400-gram can of Dancow Balita Madu infant formula is selling for Rp20,000