Jakarta (ANTARA) - National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo urged cooking oil producers to increase production, especially of bulk cooking oil, as a precautionary measure against stock shortages during Ramadan.

The reminder was given by the police chief while he was inspecting the cooking oil factory of PT Tunas Baru Lampung (TBL) in Palembang, South Sumatra, on Friday.

"(This is) because Ramadan (is approaching), so it is expected that (the demand) could be met immediately," he noted as quoted in a written statement.

According to Prabowo, the goal of increasing the production of bulk cooking oil is to avoid a shortage of cooking oil during Ramadan.

"Because this oil is really needed by our people, who have been dependent on bulk oil, especially street vendors and certain community groups that we see are in dire need. We hope it would be increased," the police chief stated.

Prabowo observed the PT Tunas Baru Lampung cooking oil factory in Palembang to ensure the availability and price stability of cooking oil.

He notified that the company said that PT TBL had received a 1,400 tons of production quota from the Industry Ministry for April. This number increased from 560 tons per month in March.

With the increase in production, Prabowo expects the stock of bulk cooking oil would be sufficient to meet the needs or demands of the community.

"Of course, we want to ensure that every day, bulk oil production is truly distributed," he stressed.

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He stated that after the production target in the Palembang area is met, the producers could allocate bulk cooking oil to other areas, such as Jambi and other areas, according to the needs.

During the observation, the National Police Chief received information about the shortage of ingredients, such as fresh fruit bunches, for cooking oil production.

The police chief said that to this end, he would conduct further checks.

He expected the company to meet the target set by the Industry Ministry.

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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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