Malang, (malangkota.go.id) – Minister of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. (HC) H. Zulkifli Hasan, SE., MM visited the Malang City Big Market, Friday (28/10/2022). The Mayor of Malang, Drs. H. Sutiaji and the Head of the City's Diskopindag accompanied Zulhas to monitor food prices.
Zulhas said based on the results of his visits to several kiosks, prices were monitored as stable and even relatively cheaper. Zulhas appreciated the Malang City Government which was able to maintain the stability of food prices in Malang City.
"I am glad that the mayor can keep the price of basic necessities here stable. Because this is a necessity for many people. So we must control the price so that it does not increase," concluded Zulhas.
Zulhas gave an example of the price of broiler chicken which he thought was too cheap. "Here the price of chicken is Rp32 thousand, I think it's too cheap. If the price is that much, chicken farmers could go bankrupt because the capital for chicken is around Rp24 thousand. Not including the cost, not including for traders. So, a reasonable price is Rp35 thousand," he said.
Zulhas also monitored the price of eggs at IDR 26 thousand instead of around IDR 27 thousand and bird's eye chilies at IDR 35 thousand and red chilies at IDR 30 thousand, which is also considered cheap. Meanwhile, the price for red onions is stable at IDR 30 thousand.
"For premium rice, the price does vary, but for Bulog medium rice, the price is IDR 9 thousand, it cannot go up, it cannot go down, it remains the same everywhere," he said.
Responding to the Pasar Besar revitalization plan, Zulhas said that his party would also coordinate with the PUPR Ministry. "If it's big, we'll ask the PUPR Ministry to build it. It's still in process," he said.
Meanwhile, Head of Diskopindag, Eko Sri Yuliadi, S.Sos., MM said that the agenda of the Ministry of Trade to Pasar Besar was mainly to monitor prices and see market conditions. Eko conveyed the mayor's direction regarding market conditions.
"For the short term before the repairs are made to help traders by providing comfort, cleanliness, security, then leaks, floods. That's what we will do immediately," he said.
Meanwhile, for the long-term plan related to market revitalization, he said that it is currently in the process of coordination and communication.
"Hopefully our prayers together, hopefully this Pasar Besar can be repaired soon. We are communicating and coordinating with the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of PUPR, and also the local government. We always take the initiative, to speed up the process," he explained. (ari/ram)
