PKS Legislators Claim Food Prices In Markets Rise, Fisheries Sector Translucent 14-25 Percent

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV DPR RI Andi Akmal Pasluddin asked the government to be aware of the increase in imports due to the stabilization of food availability.

He claims, many people who are involved in the production, especially in the fisheries sector, experience disturbances in their economic stability even though market conditions look fine.

"I paid attention and also received many reports regarding the increase in food imports at the beginning of the quarter of this year," said Andi Akmal to reporters, Thursday, April 22.

He revealed that almost all of the strategic food commodities experienced an increase in imports, ranging from medium to significant. Such as salt, sugar, soybeans, corn and garlic.

In addition, for fishery commodities in mid-March 2021, prices will increase between 14 percent and 25 percent.

"This situation can be ascertained that there are some people who experience disturbances, both production and consumption actors," said Akmal.

The legislators for the South Sulawesi electoral district also claimed to have received reports from a number of fishermen in their area that in recent weeks there have been shortages of certain fish. Such as mackerel, skipjack, pompano, and baby tuna.

"The situation in the field, the sea tests the fishermen to be patient because of how difficult it is to get certain types of fish," he said.

Meanwhile, with regard to other food commodities from the marine sector, namely salt, said Akmal, imports are getting higher every day. The initial quarter of this year saw an increase of 54.02 percent compared to last year.

Meanwhile, regarding the polemic of salt imports, continued Akmal, there were no significant breakthroughs, either from the industrialization side or from the people's salt production fostering side, resulting in an increase in quality.

"This is the main reason that salt imports have never ended. The polemic is still about industrial salt and consumption salt," said the PKS politician.

Likewise sugar, added Akmal, the problem is more complex than salt. Currently, the increase in imports is very significant, namely 1.93 million tons, up 42.96 percent compared to the January-March 2020 period. In the early quarter of last year, sugar imports were recorded at 1.34 million tons.

"The issue of sugar is even more complicated than salt. Apart from institutions, land, production infrastructure and trading systems, all have their own complexities. There needs to be an in-depth evaluation of each food commodity so that there will be gradual but definite progress," he explained.

Therefore, Akmal reminded the government to always increase awareness from time to time regarding this food issue. Because, he said, the current national food management is completely uncertain.

"Because in the future, a superior country will be one that is resistant to the needs of food, energy, health and information technology," said Andi Akmal Pasluddin.