DPD Member Highlights Government's Steps To Subsidy Bulk Cooking Oil

Fahira Idris/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - Member of DPD RI, Fahira Idris, highlighted the government's steps in dealing with the scarcity of cooking oil. The government has removed packaged cooking oil subsidies and subsidized bulk cooking oil.

Fahira assessed that the most important thing in overcoming the problem of cooking oil is the availability and convenience of the public to buy it. This means, he said, the government's policy of subsidizing cooking oil (migration) is not effective if these two elements are not met.

According to him, if the scarcity of bulk cooking oil can be avoided, it will be a first step that promises to solve the cooking oil problem. However, said Fahira, if a shortage occurs again, the policy must be evaluated completely. If necessary, the Minister of Trade reports to the public the situation of cooking oil in the field so that the positive impact of this new policy related to cooking oil can be felt directly," said Fahira Idris to reporters, Thursday, March 17.

While waiting for the effectiveness of the bulk cooking oil subsidy policy and releasing the price of packaged migraine at an economic price, the DKI Jakarta Legislator hopes that the government will develop a roadmap for stability in the availability and price of cooking oil. So according to Fahira, a situation like this will not happen again in the future.

Fahira reminded that various Government policies ranging from domestic mandatory obligations (DMO) and domestic price obligations (DPO) to bulk cooking oil subsidies are short-term solutions whose effectiveness will not be permanent and flexible in facing various complex cooking oil challenges. "I hope the government can learn from the cooking oil problem, which has not been resolved for months," he said.

It is known that the latest highest retail price for cooking oil after the HET for packaged cooking oil subsidies was revoked, took effect on Wednesday, March 16. Previously, the Government met with cooking oil producers. During the meeting, several policies were taken.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that now the price of cooking oil such as simple and premium packaging can adjust to the economic value. This was done to make cooking oil easy to find in modern and traditional markets. "For that, the Chief of Police will ensure the availability and smooth supply," said Airlangga, Wednesday, March 16. "The government has decided that it will subsidize bulk palm oil at Rp. 14 thousand per liter and the subsidy will be based on funds from BPDP-KS," explained Airlangga. Airlangga explained that the subsidy for bulk cooking oil was given because considering the current situation and conditions related to the distribution of cooking oil at this time. "The government pays attention to the distribution situation and circumstances of the distribution of cooking oil and pays attention to the global situation and conditions where prices are rising, including vegetable oil and including palm oil," he said.