This was conveyed by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono after a luncheon at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday.
"The president wants prices to drop. They must be lower than last year's Ramadan, and certain items must be cheaper than in Malaysia," Sudaryono said.
To achieve this, he added, a team from the Ministry of Agriculture will conduct market operations at 500 locations across the country starting February 24.
He affirmed that the number of market operation locations is targeted to increase to 4,000 by the start of Ramadan.
"We can conduct market operations for rice, cooking oil, sugar, onions, garlic, and meat, including frozen meat," Sudaryono remarked.
He expressed optimism that the ministry will succeed in reducing the prices of basic necessities before Ramadan.
"Entrepreneurs can make a profit, but they should not exploit the situation at the expense of the community. That is the key point," he emphasized.
Other ministers and officials who attended the luncheon with President Prabowo included Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir, Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, and National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
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Translator: Genta M, Kenzu
Editor: Anton Santoso
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