Seal To Revoke Business Permits, Government Strict Sanctions To Naughty Entrepreneurs Raise HET During Ramadan

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government will take firm action against entrepreneurs who deliberately increase the highest retail price (HET) of basic commodities during Ramadan until before Eid al-Fitr.

The strict sanctions imposed are in the form of sealing and revocation of business licenses in accordance with the agreement with the National Police Chief. In addition, the government will conduct sudden inspections (sidak) to Eid to ensure prices remain stable.

There is no reason to increase rice. Our production rose 52 percent and stocks were abundant, so there should be no price hike. Likewise with cooking oil. We are the world's largest producer, there should be no price increase even though it's small," said Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman at the Parliament Building, Jakarta, Thursday, March 6.

Then, the government will open 4,800 food outlets throughout Indonesia to reduce the prices of basic necessities. These outlets will be jointly managed by a number of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and related ministries, including RNI, Bulog, PPI, PT Pos, and Berdikari.

"We will sell food below the highest retail price (HET). There should be no entrepreneurs who sell above HET. If there is, action will be taken," said Amran.

Previously, the Acting Secretary of the National Food Agency (NFA), Sarwo Edhy, said that a number of food commodities were monitored in sufficient supply conditions at prices that were still in a reasonable range.

This was conveyed by Sarwo Edhy after a working visit to Beringharjo Market, Ngupasan, Gondomanan District, Yogyakarta City, on Wednesday, February 19.

Some commodity prices at Beringharjo Market include bulk cooking oil of IDR 17,500 per liter, Oil Kita IDR 16,000 per liter, chicken meat IDR 35,000 per kilogram (kg), and chicken eggs which experienced a slight increase from an average price of IDR 26,500 per kg to IDR 27,500 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price of beef is at Rp130,000 per kg, shallots Rp28,500 per kg, garlic Rp38,500 per kg, curly red chilies Rp43,500 per kg, large red chilies Rp52,000 per kg, and sugar consumption Rp17,500 per kg.

Meanwhile, the price of premium rice in the market was observed at Rp. 14,000 per kg, medium rice Rp. 13,000 per kg, and rice stabilization of Supply and Food Price (SPHP) Rp. 12,500 per kg or Rp. 62,500 per sack filled with 5 kg.