Basic commodity prices soar in many provinces<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government's decision to raise fuel prices by an average of
\n22 percent has caused the transportation fares and prices of rice
\nand other basic staples to soar in many provinces across the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
The increases were apparently worsened by persistent shortages
\nof other certain commodities, which prompted speculators to gain
\nhigher profits by raising the prices of their own goods.<\/p>\n
In recent weeks, the National Logistics Agency (Bulog), has
\nprovided rice directly to traditional markets at heavily
\ndiscounted prices.<\/p>\n
Many people, however, have said it has become very hard to
\nfind the cheap rice anywhere.<\/p>\n
Prices for rice also skyrocketed to an average of Rp 4,000 per
\nkilogram in traditional markets, up from about Rp 1,000.<\/p>\n
In the North Sumatra capital of Medan, different types of rice
\ncould be purchased at anywhere between Rp 3,000 and Rp 4,000 per
\nkilogram. Previously, prices ranged from between Rp 2,700 and Rp
\n3,000 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
The increases also affected the price of kerosene, which has,
\nin recent weeks, been reportedly very scarce in markets in cities
\nacross the country.<\/p>\n
It was sold for between Rp 900 and 1,100 per liter on Friday
\nmorning in Medan -- despite the fact that the official price is
\nonly Rp 600 per liter.<\/p>\n
Local traders said the prices of basic foods and kerosene were
\nlikely to continue increasing until next month.<\/p>\n
B. Tarigan, a driver of a local passenger minivan -- along
\nwith other drivers -- admitted that he had to raise his transport
\nfees by at least Rp 100 per fare to adjust to the increased
\nprices of gasoline and diesel fuel.<\/p>\n
In Irian Jaya, the prices for rice rose to Rp 3,500 from Rp
\n2,500 per kilogram. Other commodities, like cooking oil, milk and
\nsugar, were also sold at higher prices.<\/p>\n
The price of flag-branded milk, for instance, increased to Rp
\n5,600 from Rp 5,000 per pack.<\/p>\n
Arifin, a trader at the traditional Ampera market in Jayapura,
\nsaid the increases in price for basic commodities followed the
\nannouncement of a rise in fuel prices by the central government.<\/p>\n
\"Before that, the prices of basic commodities were relatively
\nstable,\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
In Makassar, South Sulawesi, the increases in public transport
\ncharges ranged from Rp 500 to Rp 700 per ride. For an example,
\npassengers on a public vehicle from Makassar to Sudiang are now
\nexpected to pay at least Rp 2000 each, while the previous cost
\nwas only Rp 1500.<\/p>\n
Illegal increases have been a cause for concern for city
\ncommuters, who have said that drivers should delay charging the
\nhigher prices until the local transport authority approved the
\ndecision.<\/p>\n
In the troubled Maluku capital of Ambon, housewives were also
\ncomplaining about increased prices for rice -- up to Rp 2,800
\nfrom Rp 2,600 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
Complicating matters were allegations from people who said it
\nwas hard to find cheaper rice sold by the local logistics agency
\n(Dolog) for Rp 2,500 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
In Surabaya, meanwhile, the cost of rice increased to between
\nRp 3,000 and Rp 4,500 per kilogram. It had been sold at between
\nRp 2,500 and Rp 3,000 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
Kerosene's price was increased by up to Rp 1,000 per liter in
\nthe nation's second largest city, while transport fees remained
\nstable on Friday.<\/p>\n
However, in the West Sumatran capital of Padang, local drivers
\nof Intercity buses unilaterally raised their transport fees by up
\nto Rp 1,500 per passenger.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/basic-commodity-prices-soar-in-many-provinces-1447893297",
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