Jakarta, IDN Times – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inspected the availability of cooking oil at supermarkets and traditional markets in the Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Sunday (13/3/2022) morning.
During his inspection, Jokowi found the stock of cooking oil in an empty minimarket, and in the traditional market the price exceeded the highest retail price (HET), especially for packaged cooking oil.
Jokowi inspected a mini market in Pasar Kembang, Yogyakarta, at 09.05 WIB, and found empty cooking oil stocks. The employee at the minimarket said that in the morning the stock of cooking oil was immediately attacked by residents. Unfortunately, when the stock runs out, it is impossible to know for sure the next stock will come again.
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1. Jokowi encounters high cooking oil prices in traditional markets
Jokowi found that the price of cooking oil in a number of markets in Yogyakarta was high, or exceeded the highest retail price (HET). (doc. Presidential Secretariat YouTube)Besides visiting supermarkets, Jokowi also checked the availability of cooking oil at Beringharjo Market and Sentul Market traders in Yogyakarta. In both markets, the president found prices varied, ranging from Rp. 14,000 per liter to Rp. 20,000 per liter.
A trader said that the distribution of cooking oil to traditional markets was very slow. “(The goods) are available but late, sir, when they are sold out it will take a long time,” said the trader, quoted from an official statement from the Cabinet Secretariat.
Another problem is that there is no definite schedule for the delivery of cooking oil to traders and supermarkets. Jokowi did not hear a definite answer when the cooking oil would be sent. Almost all of the merchants answered that they did not know when the next shipment would be.
“Yes, you don’t have to, sir, it can be every three days,” said one of the traders met by Jokowi.
2. Cabinet Secretary claims that Jokowi understands the issue of cooking oil
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Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung. (doc. Presidential Secretariat YouTube)According to the Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung, Jokowi really understands the issue of the scarcity of cooking oil according to the HET.
“In principle, Mr. President, in every visit to the region, he must also carry out inspections to see issues related to cooking oil, and he understands this very well,” said Pramono.
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3. Jokowi will hold a meeting to discuss cooking oil after visiting IKN
A number of residents queue to buy packaged cooking oil during the operation of the cheap cooking oil market in Pamulang, South Tangerang, Banten, Tuesday (11/1/2022). (BETWEEN PHOTO_Muhammad Iqbal) Currently, Jokowi is in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan (Kaltim) to continue his trip to the National Capital (IKN) Nusantara, Monday (14/3/2022) tomorrow.
Pramono said that after the visit, Jokowi would hold a meeting with the ministers of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet, to decide on steps related to the scarcity of cooking oil.
“This cannot be allowed to remain for too long, so it is planned that after returning from this IKN event, the President will hold an internal meeting to immediately decide on issues related to this cooking oil,” he said.
In addition, Pramono also said the government would ask crude palm oil (CPO) producers to prioritize domestic needs.
“Judging from our total production (CPO), which is almost 50 million, almost 26-28 million is exported, so that part of the export must be prioritized for domestic interests. So, producers must be asked to prioritize the interests of our society at this time, even though prices are very high outside, “said Pramono.