Calm, Pramono: Jakarta's Food Stock Is Safe

Jakarta’s Governor Pramono Anung Wibowo has said that food stocks in DKI Jakarta remain safe amid the tensions between Iran and the United States and Israel.

“For Jakarta, the essentials—rice, meat, curly red chillies, and others—are guaranteed safe. In fact, there is a surplus of stock,” Pramono said in South Jakarta on Friday (6 March). He noted that this is reflected in staple prices in the market, which have not risen significantly. Although prices of curly red chillies have increased, Pramono is working to keep staple prices stable.

To curb beef prices from rising, the Jakarta Government has also received imports of 3,100 cattle. Additionally, the Jakarta Government distributed staple packages through the tebus murah programme at Balai Warga Ciganjur, Jagakarsa, South Jakarta, on Thursday (5 March). This activity is a collaboration between Badan Usaha Milik Daerah (BUMD) Perumda Pasar Jaya and the Prakarsa Warga community. Pramono explained that the packaged staples are valued at Rp150,000 but residents pay Rp100,000. In the programme, 500 packages were distributed.

The activity took place in five city districts and one regency in Jakarta. Each district would distribute 1,000 packages. The packages consist of 5 kg of premium rice, 2 litres of cooking oil, 1 kg of flour, and 1 kg of sugar, redeemable for Rp100,000.

Although stock remains safe, Pramono ordered his staff to be prepared for potential crises amid the Iran–America conflict. “I have instructed the staff of the regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) to always be mindful of crises. So if there is a shortage, for example of certain products, we must prepare for it,” Pramono said.