Trade Minister Zulhas Asks Local Governments To Contribute To Prices Of Basic Needs: Just Go To The Market, Isn't It The Governor?

Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Menteri Perdagangan (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan meminta kepala daerah turut berkontribusi dalam pengendalian harga-harga kebutuhan pokok. Pasalnya, pengendalian harga agar tetap stabil bukan hanya tugas pemerintah pusat. Zulhas as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that if the central and regional governments had one perception and understanding, then controlling the price of basic necessities would be easier to do. "Of course, if the tasks between the central government, governor, regent are one understanding, it is easier," he said in a Working Meeting with Commission VI of the DPR, quoted Thursday, September 1. Furthermore, Zulhas admitted that the increase in the price of basic necessities was also caused by various factors. Such as seasonal factors to the spike in demand for big ones during religious holidays. However, Zulhas continued, from a number of these factors, local governments can determine steps so that prices do not continue to soar. The price spike, said Zulhas, will have an impact on inflation. As a mitigation, Zulhas appealed to regional heads to often go to the field to monitor the actual conditions. "The Coordinating Minister also said that this is the duty of the local government because the minister of trade has a Head of Service, namely the regent, governor. So the subordinates are the regents, the governors who lift," he said. "And the regent, the governor must understand, must also be able to go to the market. Just go to the market, the governor's period is not. Therefore, if there is a price turmoil, the local government should be able to take steps, not only the center. Is the transportation subsidy, the feed, taken from the reserve fund," he said.