Anticipating Price Increases, Food Task Force Monitors Hoarding of Essential Goods in West Java During Eid
BANDUNG — The Food Task Force of the West Java Regional Police Command is taking measures to anticipate hoarding of essential goods during the Eid season. Such practices can cause basic commodity prices to rise and harm the public.
“This is why we are conducting direct field inspections; we need to know precisely where merchants are sourcing their goods,” said Wirdhanto, Director of Special Crimes (Dirkrimsus) of the West Java Regional Police Command, during a price check of essential commodities at Kosambi Market and Caringin Central Market on Saturday (14 March 2026).
He stated that the supply chain for essential goods must not be disrupted, as this could lead to price increases. Wirdhanto has requested traders and producers to ensure that the distribution of essential goods can be properly controlled.
“We advise traders not to obtain goods from online sources, as these cannot be monitored for pricing and we cannot verify their origin,” he said.
He noted that purchasing from uncontrolled sources increases merchants’ expenses, which in turn increases costs for consumers. He added that several essential commodities are already in line with the maximum retail price (HET) and government reference prices.
“We are ensuring, particularly for beef, that sellers are selling according to the government’s reference price, which is between Rp130,000 and Rp140,000 for front and rear leg cuts,” he said.
He noted that if buyers request premium or cleaned beef, a higher price applies. However, for some other commodities such as cooking oil, traders have not yet received supplies from Bulog, the state-owned logistics company.
“We will directly assist with licensing so that traders can obtain oil directly from Bulog supplies, ensuring prices comply strictly with the maximum retail price,” he said.
Chicken meat remains in line with the reference price of Rp40,000 per kilogram, as do vegetables, red onions, and garlic.