Let’s hope that there will be no disruptions (in food supply and prices) until Eid al-Fitr.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has said that the implementation of the 2023 Ramadan Bazaar in South Jakarta will bolster the economic activities of the local community and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

"We hold a bazaar to help the people (in meeting their demands) ahead of Eid al-Fitr. …The MSMEs can improve (their income), while people who want (to celebrate) Eid al-Fitr can buy cheap basic commodities," he remarked here on Tuesday.

He noted that there are also a number of MSMEs selling food for iftar at the bazaar.

The Religious Affairs Ministry earlier announced that Ramadan 1444 Hijri started on March 23, 2023. Meanwhile, Eid al-Fitr is estimated to fall on April 22.

Basic commodities are being sold at rates cheaper than market prices at the bazaar. For instance, cheap packaged cooking oil launched by the government, Minyakita, is being sold for Rp13,500, which is less than its normal price of Rp14 thousand.

Meanwhile, food packages containing potato flour, rice flour, margarine, and coconut milk are being sold for Rp20 thousand, while their normal price can reach Rp35 thousand.

The minister said he expects the implementation of the 2023 Ramadan Bazaar to help the public get basic commodities at affordable rates set by the government.

He also appealed to all business players to adhere to the regulations in selling their products.

The government’s task force will confiscate basic commodities that are deliberately hoarded by business actors, he added.

He noted that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked the food task force to trace the distribution flow of commodities in the community to prevent hoarding.

Hasan said that he is also monitoring the prices of staple goods through the National Consumers Protection Agency (BPKN) to keep a watch on the potential for basic commodity hoarding.

Furthermore, he stated that the supply of basic commodities is still sufficient until Eid al-Fitr and the selling price of the goods is still under control.

"Let’s hope that there will be no disruptions (in food supply and prices) until Eid al-Fitr," he added.

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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Uyu Liman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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