No Need To Panic Buying Or Scramble, Aprindo Prepares Cooking Oil Priced At IDR 14.000 At All Retails

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government has officially imposed cooking oil at a price of IDR 14 thousand per liter starting today. This price applies to cheap cooking oil in simple and premium packaging. The Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo) guarantees that one price of cooking oil is available at all retailers, therefore people are asked not to overspend or panic buying.

Chairman of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo) Roy N Mandey asked consumers throughout Indonesia not to panic buying or worry about the availability or shortage of cooking oil in modern retail outlets/stores.

Furthermore, Roy said that the stock of cooking oil available at modern retailers is relatively sufficient. The government through the Ministry of Trade has also committed to meeting the food needs of the community at a stable and affordable price.

"Shop normally and fairly as needed. And stay committed and disciplined to implement the 3-M Health Protocol (Prokes) at this time, during the pandemic that we are tackling together, so that apart from our basic needs (cooking oil) can be met, health we stay awake," he said, in an official statement, Wednesday, January 19.

Roy said that his party supports the concrete implementation of the government's program in the availability of cooking oil at one price for all levels of society, by providing sales of cooking oil for IDR 14.000 per liter.

"Aprindo is of course always ready to support the government in stabilizing food prices, including the current volatile and fluctuating cooking oil price stability, making it more affordable for all levels of Indonesian society to spend, with a total purchase of two liters of cooking oil for consumption per consumer," he said.

In addition, Roy said that the cooking oil being sold currently uses the existing stock in each outlet while waiting for supplies from distributors and producers who have been appointed by the Ministry of Trade.

Previously, it was reported that the government has officially imposed one price of cooking oil, which is IDR 14.000 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 that anyone who commits fraud or commits any acts against the law of the government will continue with the legal process," he said.