Prices of commodities soar as deliveries disrupted<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Prices of some basic commodities are climbing in the Aceh
\ncapital of Banda Aceh as the ongoing conflict between government
\ntroops and separatist rebels has disrupted supplies from the
\nneighboring province of North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that the prices of some commodities had almost
\ndoubled as traders began to run out of stock.<\/p>\n
Cooking oil climbed from Rp 6,500 per kilogram to Rp 8,500 per
\nkilogram, while eggs jumped from Rp 7,250 per kilogram to Rp
\n12,800 per kilogram.<\/p>\n
But other prices like rice, wheat, sugar and meat remained
\nstable due to sufficient supply. A kilogram of rice, for example,
\ncosts Rp 2,500.<\/p>\n
Deliveries of some commodities from neighboring North Sumatra
\nall be ceased as of Tuesday as road travel is seen as
\nincreasingly dangerous, said traders and drivers.<\/p>\n
Some trucks have reportedly been stopped and burned along the
\nhighway connecting the two provinces.<\/p>\n
\"Today some basic commodities are no longer available. I'm
\nselling what I have because there's no supply anymore,\" Abdullah,
\na trader at a traditional market in Banda Aceh told AFP on
\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Another truck said he no longer delivered food following the
\narson attacks.<\/p>\n
\"I'm afraid of driving after four trucks and a bus were burned
\nby armed men in Pidie on Wednesday,\" said the driver, who
\ndeclined to give his name.<\/p>\n
However, military vehicles belonging to the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) continue to patrol the road from dawn to dusk.<\/p>\n
Red-and-white Indonesian flags were seen hoisted above houses
\nalong the road.<\/p>\n
Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh said the government would airlift
\nfood supplies if necessary.<\/p>\n
He said unidentified people had also used felled trees to
\nblock roads linking North Sumatra and Aceh.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Aceh Besar regency, the Indonesian Military
\n(TNI) started the delivery of five tons of rice, 200 boxes of
\ninstant noodles and 50 blankets on Nasi Island after securing the
\nisland from GAM.<\/p>\n
Before TNI captured the island, GAM had prohibited all boats
\nfrom sailing from and to the island, causing 6,000 residents on
\nthe island to suffer food shortages.<\/p>\n
The TNI is still hunting about 40 GAM members on the island.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, several bus drivers said that intercity buses were
\ntemporarily grounded at bus terminals or garages due to security
\nconcerns.<\/p>\n
Some bus companies revealed they did not dare operate due to
\nfears of being attacked by GAM rebels.<\/p>\n
Transportation company owners pointed to the arson attacks
\nalong several parts of the highway linking Aceh and North
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
Both the public at large and the transportation company owners
\nexpressed hope peace would be restored as soon as possible.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prices-of-commodities-soar-as-deliveries-disrupted-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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