President Jokowi Monitors Food Prices at Bandung’s Baleendah Market

President Jokowi visits Baleendah market, Bandung, West Java province, Sunday (03/05). (Photo by: BPMI/Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Sunday (03/05) visited Baleendah traditional market in Bandung regency, West Java province to monitor price of staple food at the market during which he acknowledged there is food price hike.

“Price of red chili and green chili has increased. As of today, the price is around Rp70,000-80,000 per kilogram,” he said.

The President also pointed out that the rise in chili price is a normal phenomenon; yet, he expressed belief that the price will return to normal in the following months.

“It’s a difficult problem since farmers have to make a profit as well, but later this month the price will decrease again,” he said, adding that the price of rice has not yet decreased at the market.

Therefore, the President said he had ordered state-owned logistics company Bulog to immediately conduct market operation.

“I have called Bulog to conduct market operation at Baleendah market to reduce prices,” he said, adding that the upcoming big harvest in the near future is expected to make rice price more stable and affordable.

“We hope there is no problem with harvest throughout the country. Big harvest will increase supply that will result in drop in food prices,” he remarked.

Apart from monitoring prices of basic necessities, the President also distributed assistance to the stall owners and the communities in the forms of Working Capital Assistance (BMK), Direct Cash Assistance (BTL), and groceries. (BPMI/UN) (EST/EP)