Gov’t Guarantees Enough Supplies of Staples, Medicine

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto answers questions from reporters after attending a Limited Meeting at Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (3/3). (Photo: Jay/PR)

The Government has assured that the supply of staples, medicine and other basic needs are adequate so public should not panic following corona virus threat, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said.

“The retail associations have guaranteed the availability of staples in the market; thus public should not buy in large quantities,” Airlangga said after attending a Limited Meeting at Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (3/3).

The Government, Airlangga continued, always maintains the stability of goods distribution.

“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered to maintain staples supply both for goods produced in the country and imported ones,” he added.

Regarding face masks, Airlangga urged the retailers to stop stocking them up and sell them with higher price.

“A mask should only be used by those who are sick. For people who are in healthy condition, we urge them not to wear mask to avoid public panic. The Government will soon release the health protocol,” he said.

In order to maintain price stability, Airlangga continued, his Ministry has coordinated with Ministry of Trade to maintain supply of staples, while adding that the supermarket should also limit the buying amount.

In terms of trade with China, he stated that the trade between both countries has no disruption.

“The PMI (purchasing manager’s index) for our industry even rises to 51.9 which considered high. It means the producers still have raw materials to produce. We must maintain this condition,” Airlangga continued.

He went on to say that President Jokowi has ordered related stakeholders to support 500 importer companies so that they can expand their business.
“In contrast to China, their PMI is now only 35.7 or far dropping, while other countries, such as Japan also has PMI under 50. Indonesia is the only country whose PMI remains high, it is an anomaly,” he added.

According to him, the anomaly must be maintained so that importers who find it difficult to import goods will end up looking for a value chain from Indonesia. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti
Reviewed by: Lulu Wuliarti