In Jakarta, Oxygen Prices Rise Up To 900 Percent

JAKARTA - The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) conducted a survey of oxygen prices during the implementation of the emergency community activity restriction (PPKM) in DKI Jakarta. As a result, it was found that the selling price of oxygen rose sharply by up to 900 percent.

Head of Regional Office III of KPPU Aru Armando explained the problem of price and scarcity of oxygen cylinders in his working area. He said, the price of oxygen, both portable and tube-like, has increased significantly.

"If we survey the marketplace at 16 percent to 900 percent," he said at a virtual press conference, Wednesday, July 7.

From the results of a marketplace survey of several stores in the DKI Jakarta area, said Aru, there are 11 stores that sell 500 cc Oxycan brand portable oxygen in the price range of Rp58,000 to Rp450,000 with an average price of Rp275,000.

"For shops that sell below average Oxycan, the stock or availability of goods is not more than 10 pieces. Meanwhile, those that sell above the average price, stock, or availability of goods are 17-280 pieces," he said.

There are also 11 shops that sell oxygen cylinders measuring 1 M3 (one cubic meter) with a trolley and a full set of regulators with a price range of Rp800,000 to Rp1,594,000 with an average price of Rp1,045,000.

"The average stock or availability of goods is empty. Meanwhile, those who sell above the average stock price are 4 to 99 units in each store," he said.

Meanwhile, said Aru, in West Java, there are 8 shops selling 500 cc Oxycan brand portable oxygen in the price range of Rp185 thousand to Rp328 thousand. Even though the average price is Rp253 thousand.

Then there are 7 shops that sell 1M3 oxygen cylinders with trolly and full set regulators with a price range of Rp775 thousand to Rp1.26 million.

"There is a store behavior that takes advantage of the high demand opportunity to increase the price of portable oxygen," he said.