KPPU And East Java Provincial Government Ask For No Game On Prices Of Basic Materials

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) and the East Java Provincial Government have asked that there be no important staple food price games that will cause an increase in the community. "We ask business actors, distributors and agents not to waste supplies or play prices because they cannot comply with the mandate of Law Number 5 of 1999," said the Chairman of the Indonesian KPPU M Fanshurullah Asa in Surabaya, quoted from Antara, Saturday, February 17. The chairman of KPPU who was accompanied by the Acting Governor of East Java, Adhy Karyono, conducted an inspection to monitor while at the same time ensuring the price of important staples according to the highest retail price (HET) at the Surabaya Addrejo Market.

Also present were representatives of the Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN), Bulog Leaders and the Food Task Force Team from the East Java Regional Police. Findings in the field, his party ensures that in terms of stock there are no problems, such as rice, sugar, onions, or chilies.. However, the problem is that the price of premium rice, medium rice, and chilies are sold above HET. It is reasonable to suspect that there are indications of price settings and being held back. This is about to fast, if everyone goes up pity for the community," he said. He saw that the price was still above HET, such as premium rice according to HET of Rp. 13,900 per kilogram, and sold in markets of up to Rp. 16,000 per kilogram.

The problem, he said, is that traders buy at the agent is already Rp. 15,500 per kilogram which means it is very expensive. We also ask the seller directly there is no problem in stock. Only the price is already above HET. Once again, we ask entrepreneurs, distributors and agents, please don't set the price, because this is not healthy and violates business competition. Please sell according to HET," added Fanshurullah Asa. "Meanwhile, Acting Governor of East Java Adhy Karyono took the time to have a dialogue with traders and asked about the development of food prices stocks. The number one person in the East Java Provincial Government also said that people are not worried because after a review, it is certain that all the stock of basic commodities is available. "Today I am happy that all the leading sectors carry out operations in the market in an integrated and joint manner. After we check, all stock of basic commodities are available and some prices are still normal," said Adhy. However, he continued, several basic commodities have also been found to increase above HET in the Addrejo Market, such as medium rice experiencing an increase of Rp482 per kilogram (kg) from Rp11,335 per kg to Rp11,817 per kg or an increase of 4.25 percent. Meanwhile, the increase rate of premium rice is Rp1,082 per kg, from Rp13,877 per kg to Rp14,959 per kg, up 7.8 percent. Then the increase in the price of cayenne pepper, according to him, is due to the rainy season so that there is a problem of regulating stock so that it can be used and last.

“Ini yang sedang kita upayakan untuk mengatur semua. Salah satunya penyediaan cold storage atau tempat penyimpanan dingin besar,” tutur dia.

On the other hand, as an effort to meet rice needs, the East Java Provincial Government together with Bulog have provided social assistance for rice to distributors to supply the needs of all markets so that the rice needs and prices are sufficient. The East Java Provincial Government, he said, together with related parties are committed to continuing to monitor the development of rice prices intensively and in real time. If at any time there is a significant price irregularity, his party immediately takes constructive intervention steps so that prices return to stability, such as cheap markets, transportation subsidies, and prosecution if there is a market violation.