Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the Malang City Government (Pemkot) held a Subsidized Food Program at the Lowokwaru District Office, Tuesday (12/4/2022).
The Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji, who came and reviewed this activity, revealed that entering the month of Ramadan and especially approaching Eid, there will definitely be fluctuations in demand for basic necessities.
"This activity is intended to control inflation in Malang City. Because it is suspected that it has been since the beginning of Ramadan, especially when the president said that tarawih and homecoming are allowed. Apparently our people are already euphoric. Hopefully there will be no panic buying," he said.
Sutiaji also plans to hold a regional inflation control team (TPID) meeting and will also ensure the availability of basic commodities at main depots, such as Bulog and Pertamina.
"For now it has been monitored by the PISDA section, the public does not need to worry, the materials are still there so there is no need to panic and buy excessive goods. Hopefully we can control it massively," he continued.
On this occasion, Sutiaji also touched on the issue of cooking oil is still limited. But the central government will provide subsidies through PT Pos Indonesia. However, his party could not confirm because official information had not been received.
Meanwhile, Head of the Economic, Infrastructure and Natural Resources (PISDA) Section Yayuk Hermiati, SH., MH stated that the packages provided today were 660 packages for residents from 11 sub-districts in Lowokwaru District.
Each package consists of five kilograms of rice, one liter of cooking oil, one chicken, one kilogram of sugar, and one pack of eggs.
"This package costs 150 thousand, but the community pays 100 thousand. The 50 thousand we get subsidies from the Tugu Tirta company, Bank Jatim, and the Association of Indonesian Shopping Center Associations (APPBI) who provide funds while the goods are prepared by Perumda Tunas. While PT Indomarco has provided in the form of goods," said Yayuk.
Furthermore, Yayuk said, this activity is the result of the company's social responsibility (TSP). According to Yayuk, this program is not the same as the cheap market activities that were previously held. These packages are given to residents in need who have been registered through the Social Welfare Center (Puskesos).
"If in the stadium each institution sells itself and the community is not limited, now the community really needs it and there is a subsidy. So it is more targeted," he concluded.
Lin, a beneficiary from Jatimulyo Village, said that the program has helped her a lot, especially in a situation like this. Meanwhile, Dwi Ana from Dinoyo Village said that the program has helped her meet her daily needs and hopes that there will be similar programs in the future.
When asked about the nominal amount that still has to be paid, this woman in hijab said she did not mind. Because this price is already much lower than the price on the market in general.
Lowokwaru District is the first area to be the locus for organizing subsidized food activities, and will also be implemented in four other districts soon. Also present at this activity were the Regional Secretary of Malang City Erik Setyo Santoso, ST., MT, assistants, and heads of regional apparatus, sub-district heads, and village heads in the Lowokwaru District area. (ari/ram)
