President Jokowi Tells Cabinet to Monitor Food Availability, Food Price Stability Ahead of Ramadan, Eid al Fitr

President Jokowi leads the Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (02/26). (Photo by: Cabinet Secretariat’s Public Relations/Rahmat)00

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (02/26) morning at the State Palace, Jakarta, presided over a Plenary Cabinet Meeting, which discussed preparations for the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan and this year’s Eid al Fitr.

In his introductory remarks, the President ordered his administration to maintain food availability and food price stability and to accelerate the distribution of aid to the community to support community activities during the month of Ramadan and during Eid al Fitr.

“I order all relevant ministries/institutions to stay alert and ensure that the people can worship peacefully and solemnly. Therefore, I order them primarily to maintain food supplies and food price stability, especially those related to basic commodities, and also accelerate the distribution of all social protection and social security packages,” said the President.

The Head of State also ordered relevant ministries to ensure the readiness of infrastructure and modes of transportation to support the annual exodus (mudik) ahead of the Eid al Fitr.

“We must check thoroughly the readiness of infrastructure and modes of transportation that people will use to return to their hometowns. I think we always prepare for it every year because this is an annual event,” he said.

The Plenary Cabinet Meeting also discussed the Government Work Plan, the Macroeconomic Framework, and the Fiscal Policy Principles for 2025. The President also instructed his administration to maintain the development sustainability in preparing the Government Work Plan and the fiscal policy.

“The 2025 Government Work Plan and the Fiscal Policy serve as the bridge to maintain the continuity of development and accommodate programs of the president elected as the result of the 2024 Presidential Election. However, while also waiting for the official calculation results from the General Election Commission (KPU), we must prepare the 2025 State Budget Plan (RAPBN) taking into account the results of the Presidential Election because the 2025 State Budget will be implemented by the elected president,” he stressed.

Furthermore, the President also underscored that the 2025 Macroeconomic Framework should be prepared by considering the current situation and risks of global economic uncertainty.

“We all are aware that several countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom have entered economic recession so anticipation in setting growth targets must also reflect caution, but we must also maintain optimism and credibility. We must also sharpen the focus of the Central Government and regional governments’ by preparing contingency plans in the event of turmoil and crisis,” he said.

The President added that the preparation of fiscal policy must also support the sustainability of the economic transformation that is being carried out in Indonesia.

“When preparing the macro fiscal posture and the Fiscal Policy Principles for 2025, take notice that the economic transformation that we have undergone over the last ten years must continue so that our fiscal policy can support the sustainability of economic transformation,” he concluded. (Cabinet Secretariat’s Public Relations/TGH) (TM/EP)