DPR Member Urges Government to Keep Food Prices in Check Ahead of Lebaran

Jakarta (ANTARA) — Member of Commission VII of the House of Representatives Hendry Munief has called on the government to maintain supply chain stability and food prices in response to the surge in consumer demand during Ramadan and Lebaran.

“We hope the government continues to monitor, oversee, and find solutions to potential problems with raw material availability — and indeed their prices,” Hendry said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

Hendry noted that high public demand would inevitably drive up prices. Therefore, the surge in demand must be matched by adequate supplies of consumer staples.

“High public consumption drives up demand for raw materials such as flour, meat, milk, cooking oil and others. MSME operators have a significant stake in this matter,” he said.

He expressed hope that the government would harness the considerable potential of consumer spending to spur economic growth, whilst reminding authorities to anticipate any developments that could destabilise the economy.

“We must not allow inflation or deflation to occur. People will hold back on spending if the prices of essential goods soar too high. Reasonable price increases can be understood by consumers, as the seasonal momentum inevitably drives them,” he said.