Agriculture Minister Amran Conducts Surprise Inspection at Kebayoran Market After Reports of Rising Chicken Prices
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman personally conducted a surprise inspection at Kebayoran Market in Jakarta after receiving reports of rising chicken prices, aiming to ensure food prices remain within prescribed limits and to protect consumers.
“This morning during a meeting, a report came in saying that chicken prices had risen and garlic prices had gone up. After we phoned the Regional Police Chief, the Director of Special Crimes, and the District Police Chief, the price immediately dropped from Rp40,000 to Rp25,000 per kilogram. So it turns out that phone call brought the price down by Rp15,000 per kilo,” Minister Amran said at Kebayoran Market, Jakarta, on Friday.
He stressed that the government would not stand idle if any party manipulated prices during the holy month of Ramadan 1447 Hijriah.
“To all my fellow countrymen, my friends, and business operators — please do not play games during the holy month of Ramadan,” he warned.
According to Amran, coordination was carried out swiftly with the National Police, from headquarters down to the district level.
“We coordinated immediately. If anyone raises prices, they will be dealt with. The National Police deployed personnel directly — from headquarters and the District Police Chief — and we asked them to take action,” he said.
During the inspection, garlic prices that had reportedly reached Rp60,000 per kilogram were found to have fallen to Rp38,000, below the Maximum Retail Price (HET).
“Garlic was reportedly Rp60,000 per kilogram. After we arrived here, the price was below the HET, under Rp40,000. Thank God, the price was Rp38,000. We thank the business operators,” the minister said.
However, a different finding emerged regarding subsidised cooking oil. Packets of MinyaKita, which should be sold at Rp15,700 per litre, were found being sold at Rp19,000 per litre.
“This cooking oil is labelled Rp15,700 per litre. But it was being sold at Rp19,000 per litre. I have asked the Director of Special Crimes to process this legally and seal the business unit. But the individual retail seller must not be targeted — this will be traced upstream,” he said firmly.
He even purchased two packets of MinyaKita as evidence.
“I deliberately bought two so they could serve as evidence. This will be traced all the way to the major distributors and companies — do not let them off. Announce it publicly once the case has been processed,” he said.
Amran stressed that the government had no intention of disrupting business operators, but all food sector participants must comply with regulations, especially during Ramadan.
“Go ahead and earn a living, but do not undermine the government, do not exploit the people, and do not take advantage of our fellow citizens who are observing the Ramadan fast,” he said.
He emphasised that all strategic commodities such as rice, chicken, beef, eggs, and cooking oil must be sold in accordance with the Maximum Retail Price.
“It is the government that gets blamed, but the culprits are a handful of individuals. Do not play games with this,” he said.
Minister Amran also confirmed that the national food supply is secure and more than sufficient.
“We stocked supplies before the holy month of Ramadan, and they are more than adequate. Our rice is abundant, and our cooking oil supplies the world,” he said.
As a mitigation measure, the government will continue to conduct market operations and strict surveillance across Indonesia.
“Operations will continue. I am not only the Agriculture Minister but also the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas). We have deployed teams across Indonesia. The moment a price increase is reported, it will be dealt with immediately — no more gentle persuasion, just enforcement,” he said.
He also reminded the public that there is no reason for domestic cooking oil prices to rise.