1JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Regional Owned Enterprises (BUMD) PD Pasar Jaya conducted a market operation to stabilize the price of masks, which had soared to Rp. 300 thousand per box. The increase in the price of masks in the market especially occurred after the COVID-19 virus was declared to have entered Indonesian territory.
Masks are a rare item today. In fact, in modern retail it is hard to find. PD Pasar Jaya, by cooperating with the Jakarta Pramuka Market Pharmacy Traders Association, is trying to reduce the price of these medical devices. Although the price has not been able to stabilize it, but now masks are priced at IDR 125 thousand per box.
Head of the Pramuka Market Pharmacy Traders Association, Edi Haryanto, said that 240 shops operating in the Pramuka Market had agreed on the selling price of masks at IDR 125 thousand.
"240 shops (have agreed)" he said, when met at Pramuka Market, East Jakarta, Thursday, March 5.
Edi said, if there are traders who do not want to comply with this agreement, they will be subject to sanctions. Unfortunately, he did not specify the sanctions in question. However, he believes, his group members comply with this agreement.
"Traders in Pasar Jaya are known to obey the directions of the association. Later if they find (violations) sanctions will run," he explained.
In the same place, PD Pasar Jaya President Director Arief Nasrudin also did not talk further about the sanctions for traders who are caught being stubborn. However, he said, the heaviest sanction was to be expelled from members of the association.
"There are sanctions, law enforcement. If you want to issue them you can. But, I am here with the traders, although there are still one or two, I hope tomorrow I will realize and follow the same rights," he said.
Arief said that now his party can sell masks to consumers at quite low prices because they already have a stock of 1 million masks or 20 thousand boxes. Meanwhile, previously his party only had 1,400 boxes of masks in stock. This is what ultimately causes high prices to be done.
"Because we were looking for it first, because yesterday there were only 1,400 (boxes) stock of masks, not many, but now we have more than that," he said.
Even though he has a large stock of masks, Arief said that every buyer who wants to buy a mask must carry his identity such as an KTP. The goal is for the public to be recorded in every purchase and not to make individuals hoard masks.
"So it will be limited because the Pramuka Market is a wholesale type. So one person will then buy a box, and have an ID card, so it will be recorded," he said.
According to Arief, Jakarta residents can also buy these masks at all Jakgrosir stores in each sub-district. If retailed, each mask is priced at Rp1,940 per sheet.
"We have Jakgrosir outlets, Jakmart sub-district outlets, the price is Rp1,940 cheaper per mask. I ask the public not to panic. Currently, Rp 125 thousand is normal. It is quite reasonable before the corona price," he said.
Previously, Polda Metro Jaya and related parties carried out unannounced inspections (sidak) at Pramuka Market, East Jakarta, Wednesday 4 March. The goal is to check the soaring price of masks, amid the outbreak of the corona virus or COVID-19.
During the inspection, the police were shocked to hear the price being sold from the traders. One box of 50 masks, which previously cost Rp.29 thousand, is now priced at Rp.300-350 thousand.
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