Trade Minister Lutfi Admits Many Cheaters When The Government Implements The HET Policy

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JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade (Mendag), Muhammad Lutfi, admits that the determination of the highest retail price (HET) policy for cooking oil, instead of making oil prices stable at the consumer level, has actually added to the turmoil.

Furthermore, Lutfi explained that as long as the HET policy is in effect, the availability of cooking oil becomes scarce in the market. On the other hand, after the regulation was abolished, the stock actually increased.

"The disparity (price) is very high, which causes many people who previously did not cheat to cheat," he said when met at Pasar Senen, Central Jakarta, Thursday, March 17.

Strict action against naughty players

Because of that, said Lutfi, currently his party together with the National Police continue to carry out surveillance to take action against people who play cooking oil stocks. Because this action is very disturbing to the community.

"We will eradicate the mafia and we will continue this, there are people who take advantage of this, we will brush it off together, I have collaborated with the National Police Chief," he said.

Lutfi said he still saw the potential for fraud in the distribution of subsidized bulk oil. Therefore, he also hopes that the industry will not use subsidized bulk oil.

"We will take firm action and I say once again, we will eradicate the mafia who cheats, because it belongs to the community and that is a form of government concern for the people," he said.