CP-TV.Online – Manado, Ahead of Ramadhan 1444 Hijriah, the availability of food (groceries) and the stability that needs to be guaranteed by the government so that people feel calm in carrying out the Fasting Worship and Eid al-Fitr are only a week away. In his press release, Perindo Party DPP spokesperson Yerry Tawalujan appealed to the Government to guarantee the availability and stability of basic food prices.
Yerry Tawalujan said, “Towards Ramadan there is always price instability. It is observed that the prices of a number of basic necessities such as eggs, chicken, beef, cooking oil to red chilies and cayenne peppers, in some areas have crept up.” he said.
Yerry Tawalujan revealed that data obtained from the results of direct monitoring by the Perindo Party at the Rawabadak Tanjung Priok Wet Market showed that the price of chicken eggs, which was usually Rp. 25,000 per kg, had increased to Rp. 28,500 per kg.
Likewise with the price of whole chicken meat per head, which is usually Rp. 30,000, now it has risen to Rp. 37,500.
“Even though this is just before the fasting month of Ramadan 1444 Hijri,” explained this son from Minahasa, North Sulawesi on March 14, 2023.
In Manado, he said, based on direct reports from Perindo Party cadres in the field, it showed that the price of chicken meat, which was usually Rp. 33,500 per kg, was now being sold for Rp. 38,000 to Rp. 40,000 per kg.
“Chicken eggs are usually sold in a tray of approximately 1.5 kg for Rp. 50,000, now it is Rp. 55,000,” he explained.
According to the Head of the DPP Perindo Party for Social and Welfare Affairs Yerry Tawalujan, the increase in the price of basic foodstuffs can actually be controlled even though there is a market mechanism in which high demand and little availability of goods will result in an increase in prices.
“In the market, there is a law of supply and demand. If supply is low, demand is high, prices will rise. This is where the government’s role is to ensure supply and availability of food,” he said.
“The distribution of food ingredients must be smooth. Because it is certain that ahead of fasting, especially Eid, the demand for goods will be high,” he continued explaining.
The Perindo Party, he continued, was very confident that the Government would be able to suppress price increases so that they would not be too burdensome for the people as long as they continued to make positive efforts.
“Ensure the availability of food, be diligent in going to the field to check prices, act decisively against traders or distributors who manipulate prices or hoard goods, and be diligent in conducting market operations,” said Yerry Tawalujan.
Previously, Yerry Tawalujan highlighted the performance of the ministries that manage prices for food and agricultural products.
He was of the opinion that President Joko Widodo’s (Jokowi) warning that relevant ministries quickly respond to potential price hikes and scarcity of basic commodities some time ago, should have been responded swiftly.
“Ministers who are concerned with handling the price of basic commodities should not be left out by the President’s swiftness,” said Perindo Party DPP Chair for Social Affairs and People’s Welfare Yerry Tawalujan to reporters.
According to Yerry, the ministers should have helped the President to stabilize prices, as an effort to strengthen food security.
Supposedly, the relevant ministries already have a solution to handle every time there is a spike in food prices or a supply shortage.
“So that when there are symptoms of a shortage of supply or a spike in price increases, the solution is immediately there. It’s not that there will be a new increase,” said Yerry, explaining.
“Don’t wait for the problem to drag on like this. The people have been screaming for weeks for the price of rice and cooking oil to rise, then a solution is found. Solutions should have been thought of to anticipate problems,” said Yerry.
He added, in conditions of rising and scarce basic food prices, the government needs to increase market operations and improve food distribution channels.
(Carlla Waworuntu/Ed. ***)
