The Indonesian People Take Note Of This Promise Of The Minister Of Trade Zulkifli Hasan: I Am Focused On Managing The Availability Of Food At Affordable Prices

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan affirmed his commitment to immediately execute President Joko Widodo's orders to control the prices of basic goods (bapok), especially cooking oil (migor).

This was conveyed by the Minister of Trade while directly monitoring the Koja Baru Market, North Jakarta.

“The second day of work, as much as possible, we must quickly absorb and map the existing problems. So I will focus on the remaining time of a year or two on food availability and affordable prices. Currently, I am monitoring the effectiveness of the migration program of 2 liters per 1 KTP. It is hoped that this program will have no obstacles," said the Trade Minister, quoted by ANTARA in a written statement, Friday, June 17.

Minister of Trade Zulhas emphasized that the Ministry of Trade has coordinated with the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment as the Head of the Migor Task Force which is currently still effective.

"We continue to study, coordination is also going well. God willing, there will be a solution soon. Although it is gradual, we prioritize the interests of the people," he added.

The Trade Minister explained that the Government will ensure that everything goes according to the existing scheme. Domestic Market Obligation (DMO), Domestic Price Obligation (DPO), and people's bulk cooking oil will be available to the public at affordable prices.

“I checked here, the fair price is Rp. 15,000 per kilogram. We are constantly trying to make it more appropriate. I am also concerned about the quality and cleanliness of bulk migraines. We have to think about it together because until now the only countries that still have bulk migrants are Indonesia and Bangladesh," said Trade Minister Zulhas.

According to Zulhas, to ensure affordable prices, the government hopes for cooperation between the community and business actors to report to the Food Task Force or related institutions if there are violations in the field.

“This morning I asked to create a crisis center and a migration task force. Currently there is also a hotline (phone line). The Ministry of Trade will exert all its power and efforts to make this a success,” said Trade Minister Zulhas.

Minister of Trade Zulhas also said that he would ensure coordination with the Minister of Agriculture to ensure conditions of supply of bapok so as to ensure the affordability of bapok prices.

"Regarding agriculture, chili and so on. When I return from here, I will contact the minister of agriculture, we will coordinate, so that the cause of the price increase is known and together we find a solution," said Trade Minister Zulhas.

In Koja Market, it is observed that bulk cooking oil is regularly supplied with a selling price to final consumers of Rp. 13,500 per liter. Meanwhile, premium packaged cooking oil is sold at a price of IDR 25,000 per liter.

For other commodities, sugar is sold for IDR 14,000 per kg, packaged wheat flour for IDR 12,000 per kg, chicken eggs for IDR 30,000 per kg, chicken meat for IDR 37,500 per kg, beef for IDR 150,000 per kg, red chilies curly Rp. 90,000 per kg, large red chili Rp. 90,000 per kg, red cayenne pepper Rp. 120,000 per kg, shallots Rp. 60,000 per kg, and garlic Rp. 35,000 per kg.

Previously, Trade Minister Zulhas had monitored the prices of basic commodities on Thursday (16/6) at Cibubur Market, East Jakarta. During his visit, Trade Minister Zulhas also monitored food stocks and prices, and heard directly the complaints of traders and buyers.