Minister Of Home Affairs Tito Asks Regional Food Task Force To Control Price Stability

JAKARTA - Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian asked the regional food task force to take strategic steps to control food price stability.

"Please start today the food task force really (holds) meetings, meetings to discuss food stability in their respective regions and take steps, both to meet supply and to keep distribution really smooth, so that people have food available," Tito said in a statement received in Jakarta as reported by Antara, Friday, March 18.

Food is a basic need of society; so that if a problem occurs, it will have an impact on various aspects, both political, security, and other aspects.

He added that the increase in several food commodities must be followed up so that it returns to stability. This work needs to be taken seriously, not only by the central government but also by local governments (pemda), both provinces and districts, and cities.

In addition, he also asked the local government food task force to work in parallel with the food task force formed by the police, referring to the duties of each task force.

"We ask the food task force to move, the main task of the food task force every day, being breakfast food every day is to monitor and monitor the prices of nine basic commodities plus other important commodities," he explained.

He mentioned a number of steps the food task force could take to control prices while ensuring adequate food availability. In terms of supply, he added, local governments can build cooperation with other regions that experience a surplus of food supply, so that the availability in these areas can still be met.

Meanwhile, in the distribution aspect, the task force can carry out checks by involving the trade office, agriculture office, and related regional officials to a number of distributors. The task force can gather large-scale food distributors and provide explanations so that they can facilitate distribution.

This subtle approach can be taken by the task force in overcoming various problems. However, he said, if the approach is not able to overcome the food problem, then the task force can make efforts to enforce the law.

"Enforce the law of one, two examples; so that others don't channel hoards," he said.

The Minister of Home Affairs will monitor the performance of food control within one to two months. Monitoring is also carried out by evaluating the performance of each local government.

As a form of appreciation, the Minister of Home Affairs will give awards to regions that are able to control food availability, so that there is no shortage of food.

"But on the other hand, if within one month (up to) two months there are areas that cannot control it, maybe I will also send a love letter, a warning letter, and I will expose it to the media," he said.