Ministry Urges Regional Teams To Intensify Market Monitoring To Stabilize Ramadan Food Prices

Jakarta – The Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tomsi Tohir, has issued a firm instruction for all Regional Inflation Control Teams to intensify their presence in traditional markets. This directive comes as a direct response to observed price increases for several staple commodities during the initial days of the holy month of Ramadan. The appeal was made during a high-level coordination meeting held in Jakarta on Monday.

The meeting, which also evaluated regional government support for the "3 Million Houses" program and socialized the implementation of Halal Product Assurance, became the platform for addressing urgent inflationary pressures. Tomsi specifically highlighted commodities such as cayenne pepper, broiler chicken meat, red chili, garlic, and beef, which have begun to show price hikes in various regions. He emphasized that direct intervention and communication are key to controlling the situation.

According to the Secretary General, monitoring at the farmer and breeder level indicates that stock availability and prices remain relatively stable. However, a significant disconnect was identified at the distributor level, where prices have surged beyond the government-set Maximum Retail Price. This disparity underscores the need for stringent oversight along the supply chain to protect consumers from unjustified price increases.

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In response to this finding, Tomsi called on regional governments and the TPID to take decisive action against any distributors found violating the established price ceilings. He stressed the importance of consistently enforcing the law to maintain market order. "We have a Maximum Retail Price. Enforce that law, enforce it," he asserted during the meeting, urging officials to conduct daily market checks to ensure compliance.

Beyond enforcement, the Secretary General also addressed the rising price of rice in several areas. He specifically requested that the State Logistics Agency step in to stabilize the market. Tomsi suggested that Bulog should consider increasing its rice supply in regions experiencing price surges, as a strategic intervention to bring prices back down to levels within the Maximum Retail Price.

This intervention is deemed crucial, particularly as the nation strives for rice self-sufficiency. Tomsi framed the effort as a collective responsibility of all government apparatus to uphold the integrity of regulations. He cautioned against complacency, stating that even slight deviations from the set prices should not be tolerated to ensure the long-term success of food security and affordability goals.

Tomsi concluded with an optimistic outlook, expressing that if all parties, especially the TPID, can successfully manage price volatility throughout Ramadan, the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebration could be marked by the most stable and affordable staple prices in recent years. The meeting was attended by key officials from the Ministry of Public Works, the Central Statistics Agency, and the Presidential Staff Office, highlighting the cross-sectoral commitment to addressing this critical issue.

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