Denies There Is A Mafia In The Ministry Of Trade, Deputy Minister Of Trade Jerry Sambuaga: Consumer Protection Is A Priority

Deputy Minister of Trade Jerry Sambuaga. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Trade (Wamendag) Jerry Sambuaga denied the existence of mafia within the Ministry of Trade. He said that his party prioritized consumer protection.

Furthermore, Jerry said that the price of basic commodities is currently still stable and its availability is also safe.

"No. There are no mafias. It was explained earlier. Anyway, we are important all priority consumer protection. Good prices are stable," he said when met at the DPR Building, Parliament Complex, Senayan, written Wednesday, September 13.

Previously, in a meeting of Commission VI of the DPR with the Ministry of Trade, Member of Commission VI of the DPR, Darmadi Durianto, had asked about the mafia within the Ministry of Trade.

"Isn't it true that the Ministry of Trade still has a mafia, sir? Mr. Jerry will answer later, is it true that there are still mafias? If there are still mafias, why not eradicate Mr. Jerry?" Darmadi asked.

Darmadi revealed that he got many stories related to the price of refined sugar, rice to garlic which became expensive.

According to Darmadi, the issue of the mafia continues to roll out in several periods of government and even reaches the leadership of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Therefore, Darmadi asked the Ministry of Trade to firmly dismiss this issue.

"I'm sure the Ministry of Trade is clean. But to be clean, you have to talk. Mr. Jerry will talk later, there is no (mafia) sir," he said.

According to Darmadi, eradicating the existence of mafia within the scope of the Ministry of Trade is very important. The reason is, the actions of this mafia can make the prices of basic goods expensive.

"This is important, sir. Because if not, goods to consumers will be expensive. It's expensive, garlic has not gone down, it's still Rp. 38,000, capital is Rp. 16,000. What about it, sir? How much is the profit? It's like a monopoly, "he said.