After Receiving Price Hike Reports, Agriculture Minister Amran Conducts Surprise Market Inspection — Prices Immediately Drop by Rp 15,000

Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman went directly into the field after receiving reports of food price increases from the public. He conducted a surprise inspection (sidak) at Pasar Kebayoran in Jakarta on Friday (20 February).

Upon arriving at the market, Amran found that chicken prices had surged to Rp 40,000 per kilogram. After swift coordination with the National Police hierarchy — from headquarters down to regional police chiefs — chicken prices dropped immediately to Rp 25,000 per kilogram, a reduction of Rp 15,000 per kilogram.

“I called the regional police chief, and the price dropped by Rp 15,000 per kilo,” Amran said.

Garlic prices, which had previously been reported at Rp 60,000 per kilogram, also fell to Rp 38,000 — below the government’s Maximum Retail Price (HET).

However, during the inspection, the minister discovered that MinyaKita branded cooking oil, which carries a regulated price of Rp 15,700 per litre, was being sold at Rp 19,000 per litre, in clear violation of the stipulated ceiling price. Amran instructed the food task force to investigate the producers responsible.

The Agriculture Minister emphasised that the government has no intention of disrupting business operators, but stressed that all actors in the food sector are obliged to comply with prevailing regulations, particularly during the Ramadan period.

Amran warned that anyone found to be artificially inflating prices would face penalties, signalling the government’s firm stance on maintaining food price stability ahead of the fasting month.