Consumer prices rise as Xmas, New Year's near

JAKARTA (JP): Prices of several goods have risen as Christmas and New Year's celebrations near.

Deputy governor for administrative affairs Idroes said this while inspecting the Jatinegara market in East Jakarta yesterday.

Idroes said the rise was still within acceptable levels.

Idroes found the price of sugar, flour, fish and frying oil had not increased at the Jatinegara market.

However, the per kilogram price of eggs and peanuts rose from Rp 2,600 to Rp 3,000, onions from Rp 1,500 to Rp 1,600, garlic from Rp 6,000 to Rp 7,000, chilies from Rp 4,000 to Rp 5,000, tomatoes from Rp 1,000 to Rp 1,600.

"Don't raise prices again," Idroes told traders. He said the most important thing was for the nine basic commodities to be available.

Among the nine staples are rice, sugar, salt, frying oil and salted fish.

"We want everyone to get the goods they want," said Idroes. He was accompanied by Albert Napitupulu, head of the city-owned market management company, PD Pasar Jaya.

The city economic bureau disclosed yesterday food prices rose by between 10 and 30 percent in the first week of December because of increased demand.

The bureau reported rice rose 8.95 percent to Rp 1,169 a kg, up from Rp 1,073, but was steady in the second week.

Sugar was 1.5 percent higher at Rp 1,500 a kg, up from Rp 1,477, while frying oil was up 0.3 from the previous week at Rp 1,827 a kg from Rp 1,822.

Demand for meat, chicken, eggs, and chili also rose. Demand for meat was up 15 percent at 193 tons from 168 tons a day. Beef was Rp 12,208 a kg, or 0.97 percent more than in this month's second week.

Demand for chicken and eggs rose 30 percent from its usual 400 tons a day.

The price of chicken fell to Rp 4,233 a kg from Rp 4,282 a kg in the second week, while egg prices rose to Rp 2,675 a kg from Rp 2,618 a kg.

City officials said they conducted operations to curb staple food prices increasing too much. Operations included the logistics agency providing 250 tons of rice since November.

Demand for vegetables rose 10 percent from 1,300 tons to 1,500 tons a day.

Demand for onions rose 20 percent from 56.9 tons to 68 tons a day, while demand for chilies jumped from 41.5 tons to 55 tons a day.

The price of Chili rose 7.65 percent from Rp 4,273 to Rp 4,600, while onions fell 7.99 percent from Rp 2,364 to Rp 2,175.

Demand for fruits rose 20 percent from 400 tons to 480 tons a day.

The bureau's report was based on observations at 20 markets. These included Tanah Abang and Senen, Central Jakarta, Jembatan Lima and Grogol, West Jakarta, Jatinegara in East Jakarta, and Kebayoran Lama in South Jakarta.

Yesterday, Idroes also visited the Kampung Rambutan intercity bus terminal and the Senen train station to check preparations for holiday travelers.

The Kampung Rambutan bus terminal is expected to be at its busiest on Dec. 28. Extra buses have been put on.

Head of Senen station, Bey Arief, said 31 extra train cars were being prepared for an estimated 40,000 travelers. (ste)