When 1.1 Million Kilograms Of Cooking Oil Was Hoarded By Anthony Salim's Bimoli Producer, Trade Minister Lutfi Appreciated The Owner Of SunCo Conglomerate Bachtiar Karim

SunCo Cooking Oil. (Photo: Doc. Musim Mas Group)

JAKARTA - Last weekend, the public was shocked by the action of Indofood's subsidiary, PT Salim Ivomas Pratama Tbk (SIMP). The producer of Bimoli, owned by conglomerate Anthony Salim, is suspected of hoarding 1.1 million kilograms (kg) of cooking oil. On the other hand, the "heroic" action came from the Musim Mas Group, where the producer of SunCo cooking oil belonging to the conglomerate Bachtiar Karim was considered quick to help the government overcome the scarcity of cooking oil.

Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi also appreciated the steps taken by the Musim Mas Group producer. On Monday, February 21, based on a report from the Trade Office of the Province of South Sumatra (Sumsel) during an inspection, it turned out that only SunCo and MM products belonging to the Musim Mas Group were scattered in the market.

For this reason, the Industry and Trade Department also questioned the commitment of other cooking oil producers to support market operations in South Sumatra. In response to this, the Trade Minister Lutfi hopes that other cooking oil producers will follow the steps taken by the Musim Mas Group.

"I ask for the commitment of the Musim Mas Group to be followed by other cooking oil producers," the Minister of Trade told reporters in a short message on Monday, February 21.

The former Indonesian Ambassador to the US and Japan said that his party strongly condemns traders who intentionally stockpile cooking oil when people are in a 'frustrated' search for cooking oil, after the government set one price for cooking oil.

"To producers and distributors of cooking oil, I remind you not to try to hoard cooking oil, sooner or later it will be exposed," the Minister of Trade ordered.

Previously, the Minister of Trade had also carried out an inspection in Surabaya and found the Musim Mas Group's direct commitment to supplying cooking oil in the market.

Meanwhile, the South Sumatra Provincial Trade Office questioned other cooking oil producers in supporting the market operation in South Sumatra.

This is because the inspections carried out by the Trade Service together with relevant agencies in several markets in South Sumatra, showed that only SunCo and MM distributors were actively distributing their cooking oil to the public. No other distributors found.

"I want to know what the problem is? If SunCo and MM can be seen everywhere, how come the other brands don't appear, what is this?" said the Head of the South Sumatra Trade Office, Ahmad Rizali, during a coordination meeting on the scarcity of cooking oil in South Sumatra, Monday, February 21, 2022.

- https://voi.id/economy/126952/kabar-oleh-dari-papua-oil-goreng-bimoli-milik-konglomerat-anthony-salim-turun-harga-jadi-rp14-000-per-liter-di -jayapura-mother-enthusiastic

- https://voi.id/economy/128650/harga-oil-goreng-bimoli-milik-konglomerat-anthony-salim-di-medan- already-mulai-turun-meski-belum-sentuh-rp14-000-per -liter

- https://voi.id/economy/125135/melihat-margin-keuntungan-corporate-sawit-milik-konglomerat-anthony-salim-to-eka-tjipta-widjaja-karena-meroketnya-harga-minyak-goreng

Therefore, the Head of the South Sumatra Trade Service appreciated the support from the Musim Mas Group to assist the government and the community in efforts to overcome the scarcity of cooking oil in several regions in South Sumatra.

"This shows that Musim Mas Group, which produces cooking oil for the SunCo and MM brands, is not only concerned with business, but also cares about the difficulties faced by the community," said Ahmad Rizali.

Based on the reports he received in the field, since there was market operation, these two cooking oil brands have played a role.

The Head of Trade and Trade said distributors of other brands tend to hold back on sales. Distributors of other brands, such as Bimoli, have not been seen even though they have been invited.

"I ask that it's not only SunCo and MM that are active in market operations. Because if only those two brands are like throwing a stone into the sea, when they are thrown they will immediately disappear. Because according to economics, supply and demand are not balanced, resulting in scarcity. compact producers, the scarcity of cooking oil can be quickly overcome," he concluded.