Deputy Minister Of Trade Jerry Calls HET Oilita No Increase: Still Still

Deputy Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Deputy Minister of Trade (Wamendag) Jerry Sambuaga said there had been no decision regarding the plan to increase the highest retail price (HET) of subsidized cooking oil with the Minita brand.

This was revealed by Jerry when met by reporters after the 2024 Inabuyer B2B2G Expo at the Smesco Building, Jakarta, Wednesday, May 15.

"That (increases the HET of Oilita) not yet, we'll see later, yes. Anyway, as of today, right, it's still in accordance with the HET," he said.

Jerry said that currently the HET of Oilita is set at Rp. 14,000 per liter and bulk oil is Rp. 15,500 per kilogram (kg). The regulation is contained in Circular Letter Number 3 of 2023 concerning Guidelines for Sales of People's Cooking Oil issued by the Directorate General of Domestic Trade of the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag).

According to Jerry, the plan to increase the HET of Oilita is a provision that must be mutually agreed upon.

"We'll see in the future, but what is certain is that I want to add the price of cooking oil, especially bulk oil and oil to this day, it's relatively well maintained and in accordance with HET," he added.

Previously reported, the Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan proposed the HET of bulk cooking oil and cooking oil packaged by the Minita people to increase by Rp1,000 per liter.

The current price of HET Oilita is IDR 14,000 per liter. So, if it is officially decided, the price of Oilita will be IDR 15,000 per liter.

"It was adjusted. I, however, proposed an increase of Rp1,000," he said when met at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang, Banten, Monday, May 6.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas said the Rp1,000 price increase was for the cost of packaging Oilita. However, he said that this proposal also needed to be discussed across relevant ministries/agencies.

"It is being discussed to be adjusted," he said.