The Ministry Of Transportation Claims That The Sea Highway Can Lower The Prices Of Cooking Oil, Soybeans, Wheat, Shallots, Etc. In Nine Regions Of The Country

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Transportation said the existence of the sea toll road had a positive impact in the form of a significant price reduction during January-May 2022 in nine regions of western and eastern Indonesia.

"The community has felt the benefits of implementing the sea toll public service obligation, especially in suppressing the price disparity that has occurred in several regions," said Director General of Sea Transportation of the Ministry of Transportation Arif Toha in a written statement, quoted from Antara, Monday, July 11.

The nine areas are in Natuna Regency, Anambas Islands Regency, Rote Ndao Regency, Tidore Islands Regency, Buru Regency, South Buru Regency, East Halmahera Regency, Supiori Regency, and Fakfak Regency.

Arif said the first area that experienced a significant price decline was Natuna Regency where there had been a 43 percent decrease in price disparity, 75 percent for apparel from Rp 80,000 per piece to Rp 45,000 per piece. In addition, the price of fertilizer fell 26.67 percent from Rp. 15,000 per kilogram (kg) to Rp. 11,000 per kilogram.

In the Anambas Islands Regency, the price of mild steel fell 46.15 percent from Rp. 65,000 per m2 to Rp. 35,000 per m2. Meanwhile, the price of sugar fell 21.43 percent from Rp. 14,000 per kg to Rp. 11,000 per kg.

Furthermore, the price decline in Eastern Indonesia occurred in Rote Ndao Regency where the price of animal feed/fish fell by 42 percent from Rp. 15,000 per kg to Rp. 8,700 per kg. Fertilizer prices fell 40 percent from IDR 80,000 per fruit to IDR 45,000 per fruit.

In Tidore Kepulauan Regency, soybean prices fell 40 percent from Rp. 20,000 per kg to Rp. 12,000 per kg. Wheat flour prices fell 25 percent from Rp. 12,000 per kg to Rp. 9,000 per kg and cement prices fell by 21.43 percent from Rp. 70,000 per bag to Rp. 55,000 per sack.

In Buru Regency, the price of baby and adult diapers fell by 50 percent from Rp. 3,000 per piece to Rp. 1,500/per piece. The price of detergent/softener/deodorizer for clothes fell 50 percent from Rp. 2,000 per piece to Rp. 1,000 per piece. The price of purebred chicken fell 33.33 percent from Rp. 45,000 per kg to Rp. 30,000 per kg.

In South Buru Regency, cooking oil fell 40 percent from IDR 30,000 per liter to IDR 18,000 per liter.

In East Halmahera Regency, the price of purebred chicken fell 40 percent from Rp. 50,000 per kg to Rp. 30,000 per kg. The price of medium rice fell 33.33 percent from Rp. 15,000 per kg to Rp. 10,000 per kg. Sugar prices fell 33.33 percent from Rp. 15,000 per kg to Rp. 10,000 per kg.

In Supiori Regency, the price of wheat flour fell 50 percent from Rp. 20,000 per kg to Rp. 10,000 per kg. The price of stationery/school supplies fell by 50 percent from Rp. 8,000 per piece to Rp. 4,000 per piece.

In Fakfak Regency, the price of shallots fell by 30 percent from IDR 50,000 per kg to IDR 35,000 per kg. The price of purebred chicken eggs fell 29.33 percent from Rp. 75,000 per kg to Rp. 53,000 per kg.

"The Sea Toll Program is not only carried out by the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, but has synergized with the Directorate General of Air through the Air Toll Road and the Directorate General of Land which supports the distribution process from the loading port to the airport, so that goods can be properly distributed to remote locations, especially in Papua," said Arif.

Arif also revealed that in 2022 the number of routes serving the sea highway will be 33 routes. The realization of the payload was 9,014 Teus of departing charge and 3,304 Teus of return charge.

"And in the practice of implementing the sea highway, digitalization and information technology have been used, namely the IMRK SITOLAUT of the Ministry of Transportation, SIPAP & SIGM of the Ministry of Trade and INAPORTNET of the Ministry of Transportation and Communication and Information," he said.