Trade Minister Lutfi Praises PT SMART, Producer Of Filma Cooking Oil, Owned By Conglomerate Eka Tjipta Widjaja's Sinar Mas, Why?

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

JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Muhammad Lutfi conducted a surprise inspection (sidak) to several traditional markets in Makassar, South Sulawesi. After monitoring prices in the market, the Minister of Trade then rushed to inspect oil storage near the port.

His pace was fast, his tone high, indicating a hint of irritation. There, there are two bulk oil distributors: PT Sawit Tunggal Arta Raya (STAR) and PT Sinar Mas Agro Resources and Technology Tbk (SMART).

Apparently, Lutfi received news that PT STAR was holding back bulk migrants, which made supplies to a number of traders stalled.

"It's complied and someone has to follow the regulations. So use a little anger. But this must be done because the current situation is an emergency," said Trade Minister Lutfi, Thursday, February 18.

Seeing this, the Trade Minister asked PT STAR to immediately distribute bulk migrants to a number of markets in Makassar. He also reminded that the selling price was below IDR 11,500 per liter. This is a government determination, according to HET to consumers.

Lutfi wants the existing supply not only to be limited to Makassar City, but to all regencies/cities in South Sulawesi. Lutfi also praised what PT SMART had done. Because the Sinarmas-affiliated company sends cooking oil to Baubau.

"So I asked for help from those on the other side (PT STAR) and I ordered them to take out the tanker truck right now to sell it at the Eggplant Market," he said.

He is sure that the supply of migrant workers in South Sulawesi will be stable. This is because the migration of simple packaging and modern packaging has been sent, at least 300 tons to Makassar City. That way, bulk Migor can be sold for IDR 11,500 per liter, simple packaging for IDR 13,500 per liter, and premium packaging for IDR 14,000 per liter.

Lutfi reiterated that he and his staff did not hesitate to take firm action against the migrant hoarders.

"So that's HET which is participated by all traders and distributors in Makassar City to supply Sulawesi," he concluded.