Khofifah Indar Parawansa: Cheap Market is a Strategic Instrument to Maintain Food Prices
SIDOARJO - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa stated that the East Java Provincial Government's Cheap Market is a strategic instrument for the government in maintaining the affordability of basic commodities.
"We continue to hold this Cheap Market as a form of the government's presence in maintaining the affordability of prices and people's purchasing power," said Khofifah in Sidoarjo, Saturday.
According to him, the activity entitled Cheap Market for Inflation Control and Food Security of the East Java Provincial Government is also considered to be able to strengthen people's purchasing power in the midst of food price dynamics.
Khofifah explained that inflation control needs to be carried out collaboratively through a balance of supply and demand, smooth food distribution, and direct interventions whose benefits can be felt by the community.
He emphasized that the success of controlling inflation also requires synergy from all parties, starting from the government, State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN), business actors, to the district/city government.
He said the East Java Provincial Government was committed to continuing to expand the implementation of Cheap Markets in various regions according to the needs and price developments in the field.
Until now, the East Java Provincial Government has carried out this activity 92 times in 92 different points, where the 91st point was carried out in Pasuruan City on Wednesday (5/8), while the 92nd implementation was carried out in Porong District, Sidoarjo, Friday (7/8).
A number of commodities sold include premium rice at Rp14,000 per kilogram, medium rice at Rp11,000 per kilogram, cooking oil at Rp13,000 per liter, granulated sugar at Rp14,000 per kilogram, and broiler eggs at Rp20,000 per package.
In addition, red onions and garlic are sold for Rp6,000 per 250 grams, chili packs for Rp5,000 per 200 grams, purebred chicken meat for Rp30,000 per package, and rice for the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) for Rp55,000 per five-kilogram package.
On this occasion, Khofifah also handed over a package of basic necessities to a number of pedicabs around the location as a form of concern for the community which depends on income from the informal sector.
"God willing, the East Java Provincial Government's Cheap Market will continue to be promoted as part of the East Java Provincial Government's commitment to maintaining price stability, strengthening food security, and ensuring that people can meet their basic needs at affordable prices," he said.