Cheap Food Movement at Bangka Belitung Police Headquarters: Eggs Selling for Rp1,000 per Unit Attracting Crowds
The Cheap Food Movement (GPM) at Bhaypark Park, Bangka Belitung Police Headquarters, was overwhelmed by residents on Friday, 13 March. Hundreds of residents from various areas across Bangka Island queued enthusiastically at the Bangka Belitung Police headquarters park to purchase various essential goods sold below market prices.
Prices at the event included: SPHP rice at Rp58,000 per 5-kilogramme package; granulated sugar at Rp15,000 per kilogramme; 2-litre cooking oil at Rp25,000; and eggs at Rp10,000 for 10 units, or Rp1,000 per unit. Chicken eggs were the most sought-after item, as the price was significantly cheaper than the market rate of Rp2,000 per unit. However, each customer was limited to purchasing only 10 eggs.
According to Bangka Belitung Police Chief Inspector General Viktor T Sihombing, the police prepared 15 tonnes of SPHP rice, 1,500 litres of cooking oil, and 10,400 eggs for the programme. “This GPM initiative is being conducted simultaneously across all police headquarters throughout Indonesia. In Bangka Belitung, the activity is also being carried out simultaneously across all police precincts down to the district police stations,” said Viktor.
The initiative is intended to assist residents in meeting their daily needs during Ramadan and approaching Eid celebrations. “Originally scheduled for one day only, we will continue to implement this tomorrow to help residents obtain essential goods at affordable prices,” he stated.
Wulandari, a resident of Pangkalpinang, expressed that the cheap food programme offered by the police was extremely helpful, particularly given the current high prices of essential commodities. “We hope this continues to be held, and we feel supported, especially with eggs going from Rp2,000 per unit to Rp1,000 per unit,” she said.
The initiative also offers other discounted items, with beef being a particularly popular product at Rp100,000 per kilogramme, significantly cheaper than market prices. Other commodities such as red chilli peppers have increased by approximately 25 per cent to Rp100,000 per kilogramme, whilst prices for garlic and shallots have risen by 5 to 10 per cent in the lead-up to Eid celebrations.