City Logistics Agency to control food prices

City Logistics Agency to control food prices

JAKARTA (JP): The City Logistics Agency will begin supplying
stocks of staple food to local markets today in a bid to
stabilize prices during the rupiah crisis, a councilor said.

Agency staff will also be deployed to monitor the prices at
markets and prevent price hikes, Djafar Badjeber, head of
Commission B of economic affairs, told The Jakarta Post.

"The current liquidity crisis should not influence the price
of staple food and other basic goods because there is no
relation, for example, between the chili price and the fall of
the rupiah," he said on Friday.

"So they (vendors) have no reason to take advantage of the
situation by raising the prices."

The price of a wide range of staple food -- such as rice,
eggs, flour, fruit and vegetables -- in some markets here have
soared significantly in the past few days.

Based on the Post's observation of several markets in the
city, the price of Cisadane rice has increased by Rp 200 (7 U.S.
cents) from last weeks's price of Rp 1,275 per kilogram.

The price of a kilogram of cooking oil rose from Rp 1,500 to
Rp 1,750, potatoes Rp 1,350 to Rp 2,000, red chilies Rp 2,500 to
Rp 2,800, peppers Rp 10,000 to Rp 17,500 and tomatoes Rp 800 to
Rp 1,300.

Residents have repeatedly complained about the steep increase
in the price of staple food.

"Although the current prices have not risen drastically, the
administration and all related parties must take control of this
situation immediately," Djafar said.

Separately, Hari Sandjoyo, head of Jakarta's Economic
Development Agency, said his office would continue monitoring the
prices.

Hari said the current situation was not too serious.

"Actually, the price is still under control," he said. "But if
it's necessary, we will back up the Logistics Agency in regard to
the market operations." (07)