Deputy Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Supports The Government To Hold Cheap Market Operations During Ramadan

JAKARTA - Deputy Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Cucun Ahmad Syamsurijal, supports the Government's program to carry out low-cost market operations to hold prices and supplies of basic commodities during the fasting month. He emphasized the importance of stability of commodity prices during Ramadan.

"We welcome the market operations program which will be held simultaneously throughout Indonesia to ensure commodity prices remain safe. Food price stability is important during Ramadan," said Cucun, Friday, February 28.

As is known, Muslims in Indonesia will welcome the holy month of Ramadan 1446 Hijri this weekend. To anticipate the surge in food prices, President Prabowo Subianto ordered his staff to prepare a large-scale market operation.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated that there will be thousands of operating points for the cheap food movement to be carried out to hold prices for basic commodities during Ramadan, in collaboration with SOEs and other stakeholders.

Cucun said that efforts to maintain food stability can also control the inflation rate in the fasting month until Lebaran later.

"Of course the community, especially Muslims, can fast in peace when the prices of basic necessities are stable and affordable," said the legislator from the West Java II electoral district.

Cucun also highlighted the existence of a number of foodstuffs that began to increase ahead of Ramadan. Such as the price of chicken eggs, red cayenne pepper, to beef which in the last few days has increased quite significantly.

"Usually this happens because of an increase in demand at the beginning of Ramadan. But we hope that the Food Task Force can ensure that the increase in food commodity prices does not continue," said Cucun.

Cucun juga meminta Pemerintah melalui Satgas Pangan dapat mengatasi harga minyak bersubsidi yang belum stabil. Sebab di pasar, harga Minya Kita masih dijual lebih tinggi dari harga retail tertinggi (HET) yang ditetapkan pemerintah sebesar Rp 15.700 per liter.

Cooking oil is one of the basic needs that is sought after during the fasting month. We hope that the price of subsidized cooking oil in the market can be overcome soon," he said.

Furthermore, Cucun reminded the Food Task Force to continue to go down to check the condition of prices and food availability in the market. Including to anticipate the hoarding of goods or commodities that can cause a price increase.

If supply decreases, food prices will definitely increase. Conditions like this should be avoided because it will harm the community," said Cucun.

The chairman of the DPR, the coordinator of the people's welfare (Kesra), also asked the authorities to take firm action against those who play the prices of basic commodities in the market. Moreover, said Cucun, President Prabowo has ordered ministries and institutions to monitor food prices more under HET.

"Don't let anyone take advantage of the momentum of Ramadan, so periodic control must be carried out. Ministries/Institutions and the Food Task Force must also prevent the game of commodity prices in the market," he said.

"We in the DPR will also continue to monitor this so that people can solemnly observe fasting," concluded Cucun.