Surabaya (malangkota.go.id) – In order to control the prices of basic commodities ahead of the National Religious Holidays (HKBN) of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr in 2018, the East Java Provincial Government held a High Level Meeting and Coordination Meeting of the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) throughout East Java Province at the Ballroom on the 1st Floor of the Shangri-La Hotel Surabaya, Thursday (19/4).
Low, stable and controlled inflation is an important factor in maintaining people's purchasing power which leads to increased public welfare. Therefore, controlling and achieving low and stable inflation is very necessary in supporting the achievement of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
Having the opportunity to attend this coordination meeting were the Indonesian Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, the Governor of East Java Soekarwo, the Acting Mayor of Malang Wahid Wahyudi and all the Regents and Mayors throughout East Java.
This coordination meeting was held with the aim of maintaining the stability and availability of staple food stocks ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 1439 H.
“As much as possible, we must be able to prevent this from happening. panic buying "which could happen in society," said East Java Governor Soekarwo.
The Governor of East Java, who is more familiarly called Pakde Karwo, said that the public must be given confidence that the stock of basic necessities that we have is sufficient to meet the needs during the upcoming HKBN.
He also advised all TPID teams in each district/city throughout East Java to maintain the supply of basic necessities so that price stability can also be maintained.
"There are five challenges to inflation in East Java, namely the decreasing inflation target, the increase in world oil prices, the increase in demand ahead of the regional elections, global food prices, exchange rates, and the potential for La Nina," he explained.
Inflation in East Java in March 2018 was 3,7 percent, this figure is the lowest figure in the Java region and lower than the national figure of 3,40 percent.
The guarantee of staple food stock ahead of Ramadan was conveyed by the number one person in the East Java Provincial Government. Pakde Karwo explained that rice stock in April, May and June 2018 is guaranteed to be safe. Where in June the rice production prognosis in East Java is 996.496 tons with consumption of 297.243 tons, so that the surplus is 699.253 tons.
In addition, the rice stock in Bulog warehouses as of April 13, 2018 was 147.334 tons spread across all Bulog warehouses in East Java.
For granulated sugar commodities, based on producer stock data as of February 28, 2018, in sugar factories there were 26.875 tons, people's sugar cane there were 79.181 tons, and traders there were 220.810 tons, total sugar stock was 326.867 tons.
Meanwhile, the stock of granulated sugar in Bulog warehouses as of April 13, 2018 was 50.747 and was spread across all Bulog warehouses in East Java.
On the same occasion, Indonesian Minister of Trade Eggartiasto Lukita said that all traditional market traders must sell staple foods at a price not exceeding the Highest Retail Price (HET). In Java, Lampung, and South Sumatra, the HET for medium rice is IDR 9.450/kg, while for premium rice it is IDR 12.800/kg. Meanwhile, for granulated sugar the HET is IDR 12.500/kg, frozen meat is IDR 80.000/kg, simple packaged cooking oil is IDR 11.000/liter and bulk cooking oil is IDR 10.500/liter.
"If there is already a stock of rice in each region, Bulog will... standby, if there is a shortage, Bulog is ready to distribute. Currently, the availability of rice is abundant, so there is no worry about a shortage of stock," he said.
Previously, the Head of Bank Indonesia Representative, Difi Ahmad Johansyah said that the 2018 Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation is estimated to remain under control in the range of 3,5%±1% (yoy), but it is still necessary to be aware of the increase in food prices. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen policy coordination, especially to maintain food inflation. (volatile foods) maximum 4-5% by ensuring food sufficiency.
On this occasion, the Indonesian Minister of Trade together with Governor Soekarwo symbolically released the shipment of basic food aid in the form of rice from East Java to various regions in Indonesia, namely Maluku, Jambi, Yogyakarta, Bali, NTT, East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan and Papua.
In Malang City, the availability of staple foods ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr is also declared safe. This was conveyed by Wahid Wahyudi as Acting Mayor of Malang on the sidelines of the coordination meeting.
The Malang City Government through the Malang City Trade Service will also continue to conduct regular market operations to help the people of Malang City in fulfilling their needs during HBKN.
"We will pay close attention to the directions from the Minister of Trade and the Governor of East Java that were conveyed earlier, namely so that the community can continue to meet their needs and prevent the occurrence of... panic buying ahead of the holiday," Wahid stressed. (say/yon)
