The Statement Of The Minister Of Trade Lutfi Does Not Match The Reality, The Scarcity Of Cooking Oil Still Occurs In Several Modern Retailers

JAKARTA - The scarcity of cooking oil is still happening in the community. In fact, the Minister of Trade (Mendag) Muhammad Lutfi, who came down the mountain and directly checked the availability of cooking oil in several modern retailers, stated that the distribution of cooking oil in modern retail was getting better.

"Cooking oil in modern retail is safe for the public, such as at Lotte Mart, Lotte Wholesale, and Alfamidi. We hope the public can find the same thing at other modern retails," said Lutfi in a written statement, Monday, March 14.

However, in reality, some modern retailers still experience a shortage of cooking oil stocks. Based on VOI's monitoring at ALfamidi Muwardi Grogol, cooking oil stocks have been vacant for four days since Saturday, March 12.

"It's been empty for four days. Usually five or six cartons come once and usually at night, but it's been empty for 4 days," said Deva Gunawan, an Alfamidi employee to VOI, Tuesday, March 15.

Meanwhile at Indomaret Muwardi II, the oil stock vacancy has occurred since the last three weeks. According to a source who did not want to be named, he did not know for sure what caused the supply shortage to Indomaret where he worked.

"It's been empty for several weeks, no one has delivered it yet," he said.

Complaints about the scarcity of cooking oil in several modern retailers were also conveyed by Ester Marpaung, a resident of Pabuaran Residence who every morning looks for cooking oil at Alfamidi near her house.

"I always don't get it because it's always empty. Every time I ask the cashier, the answer is that the item isn't there. Had to buy two liters of oil which costs IDR 37,000 at a shop near my house," he said.

Previously, the Minister of Trade also inspected the cooking oil factory in the Marunda area and ensured that the supply of cooking oil was safe. The Trade Minister also asked the public not to buy cooking oil in large quantities. Don't buy too much cooking oil.

"I urge people not to panic buying. Buy enough. If you need, you usually order two four-liter pouches for one house, you don't have to buy two or even three cartons," said Lutfi