Pressing Price Increases Ahead Of Ramadan 2022, KSP Calls The Government To Prepare Market Operations

Traditional market illustration. (Antaranews)

JAKARTA - The Presidential Staff Office (KSP) said the government is preparing a number of steps to suppress the increase in food prices ahead of Ramadan 2022. One of them is a market operation scenario to control prices of basic commodities.

KSP Main Expert Edy Priyono said the market operation scenario was prepared for a number of commodities, including chicken eggs, sugar and garlic.

"For cooking oil, the government has issued a policy of the highest retail price (HET) of Rp. 14,000 per liter. Even if prices are still found above HET in the market, this requires the cooperation of all parties to participate in controlling the policy, including the ladies and gentlemen who are here," said Edy in a written statement on Wednesday, March 30, seized from Antara.

According to Edy, the increase in the price of basic necessities ahead of Ramadan is an annual cycle. The price increase was triggered by an increase in consumption which caused a surge in demand.

"If demand has increased, of course the price will also go up. I think people should be wiser in their shopping,” said Edy.

Previously, several elements of the community who attended the “KSP Hearing” program expressed their anxiety regarding the increase in the price of basic necessities ahead of Ramadan, especially the price of bulk cooking oil which was still above Rp. 20,000.

“We ask KSP to come down to check the prices of basic needs. Before fasting, everything goes up, sir, especially cooking oil, it can be above Rp. 20,000. If you ask a trader whose price (bulk cooking oil) is Rp. 14,000, the answer is yes, just buy it from the government. How is this, sir?," said Sujanti, a representative of small business actors from Surakarta.

In addition to listening to the issue of rising prices for basic necessities, KSP also accepts people's aspirations regarding social assistance, tourism development, and land issues.

"We have heard, recorded and recorded all the aspirations of the ladies and gentlemen. We will make a minutes to be submitted to the Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko to be delivered directly to the President," said Deputy IV KSP Juri Ardiantoro.