Curhat Warga Kramat Asem Soal Harga Beras Meroket: Kita Orang Menengah Ke Bawah, Jangan Mahal-mahal Dong"

Market/ Photo operations: IST

The price of premium quality rice is still relatively expensive among the lower class. Although the rice is sold at high prices, people are still willing to buy it because it is suitable for consumption.

Tariah, a resident of Kramat Asem, Utan Kayu Selatan Village, hopes that the price of rice circulating in the market and stalls will return to normal or cheap prices.

"Don't be expensive, people like us are middle to lower class people. Don't be expensive. This market operation, Alhamdulillah, is very helpful, so this is up to the Koran," said Tariah to reporters, Friday, February 23.

Even though he was willing to come in the morning and queue, he was only allowed to buy one bag of rice weighing 5 kilograms. He also bought premium quality rice.

"This was Rp. 69 thousand for one bag. If it's outside like this, Rp. 14,000 per liter, it's more expensive," he said.

Tariah suspects that the price of rice is high because farmers have not harvested and flooded. So the price of rice in the market is still skyrocketing.

"Because maybe the farmers haven't harvested yet, it's flooded, that's why it's expensive. It's also expensive. Not rare, but because it's expensive. Rice is there but the price is different, some are cheap and expensive," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of Matraman Sub-district, Bambang Pangestu, said that residents who are allowed to buy rice are prioritized by the lower middle class.

"Because of the enthusiasm of many people, we limit 1 KK to one package or 5 kilograms. We do not record but only provide queue cards for the community. Especially the lower middle class residents are prioritized," said the sub-district head.

This market operation was carried out by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government with the East Jakarta MSME Sub-Department. Market operations were carried out during March 10 before the holy month of Ramadan.

"The goal is to help stabilize rice prices for the needs of the community. Activities are held in different locations every day," he said.

Previously, it was reported that hundreds of residents, mostly boiled peanut traders and scavengers in slum areas of RT 12/05, North Utan Kayu Village, Matraman District, East Jakarta, received free rice assistance of 5 kilograms per head of family (KK), Friday, February 23.

The assistance was given by the East Jakarta Metro Police in order to cool the system or cool the political temperature during the 2024 General Election so that the security and social security situation remains conducive.

"Giving free rice, considering that the rice is currently rising in Indonesia. So we are moved by the East Jakarta Police to help people in need of rice," East Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Kombes Nicolas Ary Lilipaly at the location, Friday, February 23.