Rare Cooking Oil, This Is An Alternative Solution For Southeast Sulawesi Governor Ali Mazi: Coconuts

Illustration of scarcity of cooking oil. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Indonesia is hit by a shortage of cooking oil. When the stock is abundant, the price increases drastically. This certainly makes it difficult for the people. The Governor of Southeast Sulawesi, Ali Mazi, said that there are alternatives to overcome the scarcity of cooking oil. One of them is producing cooking oil from coconut.

"An alternative solution is needed to overcome it (scarcity and high oil prices), one of which is to make oil using deep coconut fruit," said the Governor, as quoted by Antara, Saturday, April 2.

The Indonesian Youth National Committee (KNPI) of Southeast Sulawesi together with the Education and Culture Office as well as the local Industry and Trade Office and Cooperatives promoted the manufacture of coconut-based traditional cooking oil involving high school/vocational high school students in 17 districts/cities throughout Southeast Sulawesi.

According to Ali Mazi, this step is a positive thing in overcoming the current high price of oil, especially in 17 districts/cities that have lots of coconuts.

He conveyed that Southeast Sulawesi was famous since ancient times as one of the producers of coconut which was then made into copra and brought to Surabaya to be used as cooking oil.

"Coconuts in very large numbers and scattered in districts / cities in the earth Anoa Southeast Sulawesi. From that I really support the activity of making this cooking oil in bulk," said the Governor.

The governor said 3,000 stoves in the mass movement made cooking oil traditionally in 17 districts/cities involving high school/vocational high school students and is estimated to produce 12 thousand liters.

"This is very extraordinary and of course it must be supported by the government, both provincial and district/city governments. This is one answer to the problem of oil scarcity throughout Indonesia," said the Governor.

The governor hopes that the traditional mass movement of cooking oil initiated by KNPI can serve as an example and inspiration for other elements of development to have sensitivity and concern as well as take part and increase their role in overcoming every problem faced by the community, nation and state.