Traditional Market Inspection In Ponorogo, Minister Of Trade Zulhas Monitoring Basic Food Prices

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan

PONOROGO - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Minister of Trade Zulhas) conducted a surprise inspection (sidak) at the Ponorogo Station Market, East Java, Sunday, December 25.

Zulhas' arrival was to monitor the development of basic food prices during the Christmas and New Year 2023 holidays.

Still wearing a white robe sarong and top after filling a dawn lecture at the Al Manar Mosque, Muhammadiyah University, Ponorogo, the Minister of Trade who is familiarly called Zulhas visited a number of traders' stalls and bought up basic necessities to be distributed directly to residents around the inspection site.

His actions to distribute basic necessities and spending money to the residents also received an enthusiastic response from traders and market visitors.

"We want to make sure the prices of basic necessities in the community are under control," said Zulhas, quoted from Antara, Sunday, December 25.

Trade Minister Zulhas directly bought a number of basic necessities, such as rice, packaged cooking oil, chicken meat, tempeh, and several other basic commodities, to ensure price.

He also asked traders regarding the availability of basic food stocks during the Christmas and New Year period and price developments during the last 1-2 weeks.

"This is extraordinary, Mr. Giri (Sugiri Sancoko), you know. This is Mr. Regent's 'twisted two'. Here the prices are very under control. Cabe's price is down. The price of rice (from) Bulog is even only Rp. 45,000 (per packaging containing 5 kilograms), meaning the price per kilo of Rp. 9,000, it should be plus Rp. 20,000 for transport costs. Tempe is stable, vegetables are stable. Short words the prices of basic necessities in Ponorogo are stable. Hopefully Christmas and New Year are all smooth," said Zulhas.

Even though the price of tempeh and tofu is still quite high due to the increase in soybean prices, the Trade Minister ensures that there will be no more significant increases.

"January (2023) the supply of soybeans will come (the price will decrease) by around Rp. 11,000 per kilogram," he said.

Zulhas hopes that conditions in Ponorogo will also occur in other areas in Indonesia. Stock of goods exists, the price is also affordable.

"If the increase is too late, the government will subsidize it," he said.

Regarding rice stocks, the public is advised not to worry too much. Because in the February-March 2023 period, the government through Perum Bulog will buy 1.2 million tons of rice.

"So don't worry, the price will still be good. (The price) of grain can be Rp. 5,500 to Rp. 6 thousand per kilogram. Meanwhile, the price of rice can be Rp. 9 thousand to Rp. 9, 509 per kilogram," he said.

"And if later at farm centers the farmers can stock up, we can be told that we can buy it with Bulog. If necessary, the Regent can tell us, where there is a lot of rice (will) we buy. Let the price of rice (farms) remain expensive, good prices," said the Minister of Trade.