Economists say inflation in Indonesia may have slowed to the lowest rate in 18 months in November on the back of weaker commodity prices, giving the central bank some scope to reduce key interest rates.

Six economists surveyed by the Jakarta Globe predicted a median forecast of a 4.2 percent increase in the consumer price index (CPI), a measure of inflation, this month from a 4.4 percent gain in October. It has not been that low since the CPI rose 4.16 percent in May 2010 from the year before. The Central Statistics Bureau will release November inflation and October trade figures today.