KPPU Medan Ensures Food Stock Is Safe, Traders Should Not Increase Prices

Head Of KPPU Regional Office I Medan Ridho Pamungkas/ Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - The Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) of the Medan Regional Office reminded distributors not to withhold the supply of basic commodities whose demand increased when entering the month of Ramadan.

"Don't hold back the supply or increase the price fairly," said Head of KPPU Regional Office I Medan Ridho Pamungkas, Antara, Wednesday, March 22.

Therefore, Ridho also asked the public not to panic in buying necessities. Because, it can lure traders to speculate in order to get a bigger profit than usual.

In order for such a situation not to occur, Ridho ensured that the KPPU Regional Office I Medan would always carry out intensive supervision.

They will not let speculators run rampant and harm the public during the fasting period.

"KPPU Regional Office I Medan has been and continues to communicate with the North Sumatra Food Task Force and the North Sumatra TPID team to carry out intensive supervision of anti-competitive behavior carried out by speculators," said Ridho.

Regarding basic commodities, KPPU has conducted monitoring in several markets and stated that, in general, food stocks in Medan, and North Sumatra in general, are safe.

However, KPPU acknowledged that there was an increase in prices in several foodstuffs such as rice, garlic, chicken, chicken eggs, beef and cooking oil.

"There has been a slight increase due to the surge in demand in the market ahead of Ramadan," said Ridho.

Meanwhile, regarding the 'Minyakita' cooking oil, he said that the KPPU had advocated for distributors who made conditional sales and supply restrictions.

Ridho emphasized that the information obtained from discussions and advocacy related to the distribution of the Oilita would be submitted to the central KPPU.

The report will be an in-depth study material at KPPU to be submitted to the government.