Chili in Kupang City Market Breaks Rp80,000/Kg, Food Task Force Investigates Alleged Price Game

The East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Food Clean-up Task Force during a raid on a traditional market in Kupang, Thursday. ANTARA/Kornelis Kaha

KUPANG - The East Nusa Tenggara Provincial Food Clean Sweep Task Force (Saber Pangan) found a number of food commodities sold above the price provisions during a surprise inspection at a number of traditional markets in Kupang City, today.

Head of Subdirectorate I Industry and Trade of the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the NTT Regional Police, AKBP Haryo P Seno, said that the commodities that experienced a significant increase included curly chili, large chili, and cayenne pepper.

"We found that some prices were above the provisions. We will investigate whether the increase comes from distributors or traders," said Seno in Kupang, Antara, Thursday, February 5.

He explained that the price of chili, which was previously in the range of Rp. 55,000 per kilogram, has now risen to Rp. 80,000 per kilogram. The increase also occurred in red onions, which jumped from Rp. 35,000 to Rp. 50,000 per kilogram.

In addition, the price of chicken meat has also increased. If previously sold for Rp65,000 per head, it has now increased to Rp70,000 per head.

According to Seno, the sudden inspection involved cross-agencies that were included in the Saber Pangan Task Force, including the National Food Agency, the Industry and Trade Office, the Agriculture and Food Security Office, Perum Bulog, and the NTT Police Crime Investigation Unit.

This supervision activity is carried out as an effort to control prices and secure food supplies ahead of the National Religious Holiday, especially Eid al-Fitr.

"The purpose of this check is to ensure the availability of stock, the appropriateness of prices in accordance with government regulations, and to ensure the quality and safety of food circulating in the community," he said.

For traders who are found to sell above the provisions, the Saber Pangan Task Force gives a warning and appeal so that prices are adjusted again.

"In principle, we prioritize coaching. However, if violations are found that are principled and ignored, of course we will take legal steps in accordance with the provisions," said Seno.

He added that supervision would not only stop at the level of traders, but would be traced to distributors if there were indications of price increases from upstream.

Meanwhile, the National Food Agency's Food Security Analyst, Wara F Tristiyanti, said the team also carried out quality and food safety supervision in addition to price monitoring.

"We check the labels and take samples such as red onions, garlic, chili peppers, and chicken meat to be tested. If there is an indication of violation, further testing will be carried out in the laboratory," he said.