Ahead Of Ramadan, Ridwan Kamil Orders The West Java Head Of Industry And Trade To Be Diligent About The 27 Regencies/cities

West Java Governor M Ridwan Kamil. (ANTARA/HO-Humas West Java Regional Government)

JAKARTA - The Governor of West Java (Jabar) Ridwan Kamil ordered the Head of the Industry and Trade Service (Kadisindag) to tour 27 regencies/cities to monitor the prices of basic necessities ahead of the implementation of Ramadan.

"I have ordered the Head of Industry and Trade to focus on the months leading up to the National Religious and Religious Day (HBKN) to go around monitoring conditions in 27 cities/districts," said Ridwan Kamil in his press statement, Antara, Friday, March 18.

Ridwan Kamil stated that the local government would look for ways to overcome the fluctuations in cooking oil prices in the community, especially those with low incomes.

"This is really a phenomenon that makes people concerned," he said.

"The HET (highest retail price) rule has been revoked by the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, it is no longer Rp. 14 thousand, but is left to market fluctuations. So it is observed that the price of 1 liter of packaged cooking oil can be 23-25 thousand rupiah. Bulk oil will remain at Rp. 14 thousand because there will be subsidies ," he continued.

Kang Emil, as Ridwan Kamil is known, added, although the production and distribution are under the authority of the central government, if there are problems in the field, the regional government also continues to look for ways to make these basic needs always available and always affordable.

"Hopefully the central government can find a concrete and sustainable solution as soon as possible. Not only in terms of supply but also distribution management and affordability," he said.

"My prayer, hopefully all mothers and fathers, Allah makes it easy and is given an abundance of sustenance. Amen," he continued.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade has issued Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 11 of 2022 concerning the Determination of the Highest Retail Price of Bulk Cooking Oil, which is Rp. 14,000 per liter or Rp. 15,500 per kilogram, including value added tax.

Head of the West Java Province Industry and Trade Agency (Disperindag) Iendra Sofyan added that market operations were carried out in a situation to maintain food security such as HBKN, including approaching the month of Ramadan with several criteria including the right location and target.

"We plan to conduct an OP before Eid for cooking oil, flour and crystal sugar commodities. But we are still waiting for the number of recipients and implementation instructions from the Governor," he said.

In addition, through PT Agro Jabar, which is a BUMD in the food sector, it also maintains availability. It is hoped that there will still be stock at the previous HET price.