President Jokowi Inspects Food Prices Ahead of Christmas, New Year

President Jokowi visits Cigombong market in Bogor regency, West Java province (12/23) (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

Ahead of Christmas and New Year, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (12/23) inspected food prices at Cigombong market, Bogor regency, West Java province.

“I, along with Governor [of West Java] Ridwan Kamil, inspected [food] prices ahead of Christmas and New Year. I am proud that there is a decrease in prices of several foods,” President Jokowi said in his press statement.

On that occasion, the President went on to say that prices of several foods including frozen meat and shallot increase, while underscoring that prices of staple foods in the market are still under control and well managed in general.

“Frozen meat price increased from Rp85,000 to Rp95,000 (per kilo), but the local meat price remains stable. Shallot price increased by Rp2,000. I notice that all is under control, well managed,” President Jokowi added.

The President further said chili price decreased from Rp60,000 to Rp30,000 (per kilo), while stressing that food price stability is not only in West Java province, but also in all over Indonesia.

Echoing the same sentiment, one of vegetable vendors at Cigombong market Melki said that food prices ahead of Christmas and New Year are in stable position.

“I do not know why. Usually the prices [ahead of Christmas and New Year] increase, but currently the prices do not increase. Tomato price usually reaches Rp20,000. Now we only sell it Rp8,000 (per kilo),” he added.

Melki expressed his hope that the food prices can remain stable.

“First, it is our hope that Mr. President Jokowi can maintain price stability. Second, at the end of his term as the President, it is also our hope that economic growth can be boosted so that people’s purchasing power can be improved,” he concluded. (BPMI Setpres/UN) (AP/LW)