Ahead of Eid al-Fitr, Business Leaders Suddenly Make Request to Government

Jakarta — Stabilising the prices of essential goods has become a primary concern for the business community ahead of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr this year. Business operators believe the government must maintain food supply and pricing stability amid global uncertainty.

Sarman Simanjorang, Vice Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stated that potential volatility in global energy prices risks affecting logistics costs and domestic commodity prices.

“If fuel prices rise, the impact will certainly affect all prices in the market,” Sarman told CNBC Indonesia on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Price stability for food provisions must be a priority the government protects, particularly given that consumer spending momentum has already increased alongside Ramadan.

“What is most urgent is really how to ensure our basic food needs remain available at affordable prices,” he said.

Moreover, in the coming days the public will begin stepping up consumption in preparation for Eid al-Fitr, typically driven by the disbursement of holiday allowances (THR).

“Soon the public will start shopping for Eid needs, especially since holiday bonuses have been paid out. Consumption will definitely increase,” Sarman said.

He also highlighted the possibility of disrupted distribution of imported food provisions should global logistics routes be disrupted by geopolitical conflicts.

“We also do not yet know whether there are imported food items still in transit or even held up in the distribution process,” he said.

For this reason, the government must ensure the national food stock remains in a secure condition so that surges in demand do not trigger price spikes.

“The major challenge is ensuring that essential prices remain stable when demand increases ahead of Eid,” Sarman said.

Sarman added that the consumption momentum of Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr plays an important role in supporting national economic growth in the early year.

“The Eid season is typically the peak period for the largest circulation of money in Indonesia,” he said.

He hopes that price stability can maintain public purchasing power so that consumption remains strong and can support economic growth in the first quarter.

“With prices remaining affordable, we hope that public consumption stays strong and first-quarter economic growth can meet targets,” Sarman said.