Cooking Oil Sold For Rp. 14 Thousand, Trade Minister Lutfi: Stubborn Seller Who Dare To Sell At A Higher Price His Business License Will Be Revoked

Minister of Trade, M. Lutfi. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - The government has officially imposed one price of cooking oil, which is Rp. 14 thousand per liter, starting today. If a company sells cooking oil above the predetermined price, there will be sanctions up to the revocation of the business license. In fact, the government will also take legal action if it is proven that someone has committed fraud.

Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi emphasized that the government would not hesitate to impose sanctions on producers or cooking oil companies that sell their products above IDR 14,000 per liter.

"Manufacturers who do not know the provisions will be subject to sanctions in the form of freezing or revocation of business licenses. We remind the government to take very firm steps," he said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday night, January 18.

Not only that, Lutfi also emphasized that he would take legal action for all parties who committed fraud or misappropriation of cheap cooking oil at one price.

"We remind anyone who commits fraud or commits any acts against the law of the government will proceed to the legal process," he said.

The policy of one cooking oil price of Rp. 14 thousand per liter applies to cooking oil with simple to premium packaging. Good for the smallest packaging of 1 liter to 25 liter jerry cans.

Lutfi said to provide wider benefits to the community, the government has issued a policy of providing cooking oil at one price. With this policy, it is hoped that the public will be able to obtain cooking oil at affordable prices and on the other hand producers will not be disadvantaged because the difference in price will be reimbursed by the government.

"The Ministry of Trade announced a one-price cooking oil policy, through this policy, all simple premium packaging will be sold for the equivalent of Rp. 14 thousand per liter or all types of packaging, both premium and simple, from 1 liter to 25 liter jerry cans, which are intended for household needs and MSMEs," he said.

As the beginning of its implementation, said Lutfi, the one-price cooking oil policy will be carried out through modern retail. Meanwhile, for traditional markets this policy may not take effect immediately when the Ministry of Trade gives a time for settling prices in traditional markets for the next week.

"Initially, the policy of providing one price cooking oil will be carried out first through modern retailers who are members of Aprindo, then for traditional markets, they will be given one week to make adjustments," he said.

Furthermore, Lutfi said that this policy would at least be valid for the next six months. After six months, the policy will begin to be reviewed whether it needs to be extended or not.

Lutfi also appealed to the public not to overspend or panic buying in response to the price of cooking oil to Rp. 14 thousand.

"There is no need to panic buying or buying excessively because the government guarantees that the stock at a price of Rp. 14,000 per liter can definitely meet the needs of the community," he said.