Governor Khofifah Holds 58th Cheap Market in Kaibon Village Field, Madiun, Ensures Price Control and Stock Security
East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa held the 58th “Cheap Market” event at Kaibon Village Field, Geger District, Madiun Regency, on Thursday 12 March. The event served to make essential staple goods more affordable to residents ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
During the occasion, Governor Khofifah stated that the Cheap Market is an important government instrument for maintaining price stability whilst ensuring the public can obtain staple goods at more affordable prices.
“This Cheap Market is part of the price stabilisation programme and an effort to bring staple goods closer to the community, particularly ahead of Eid al-Fitr,” said Khofifah.
At the event, residents could purchase various essential needs at significantly lower prices compared to regular market rates. The commodities offered included premium rice at Rp14,000 per kilogramme, medium rice at Rp11,000 per kilogramme, Minyakita cooking oil at Rp13,000 per litre, chicken eggs at Rp22,000 per pack, and wheat flour at Rp10,000 per kilogramme.
Also available were granulated sugar at Rp14,000 per kilogramme, garlic at Rp6,000 per 250 grammes, red onions at Rp7,000 per 250 grammes, chilli packets at Rp5,000 per 200 grammes, and chicken meat at Rp30,000 per pack.
Khofifah explained that the commodity prices sold at the cheap market were significantly lower than current market prices, thus helping to ease the burden on residents.
“Prices are very different from normal. Eggs sell for Rp30,000 outside but we sell them for Rp22,000 here, and chicken sells for Rp42,000 outside but we sell it for Rp30,000 here. This certainly lightens the load for residents,” she said.
Governor Khofifah also assured residents that they need not worry about the availability of staple goods ahead of Eid al-Fitr. The East Java Provincial Government continues to monitor distribution and logistics supply to ensure community needs are met.
She added that several commodities which have contributed to inflation in East Java include bird’s eye chilli, chicken, and chicken eggs. Therefore, the government continues to take various intervention measures to keep commodity prices under control and below the Maximum Retail Price (HET).
“One effort to control inflation is through activities such as cheap markets,” she said.
In addition to providing essential goods at affordable prices, Governor Khofifah also distributed food aid to residents. The aid consisted of rice for elderly residents and eggs for pregnant women and children as part of efforts to meet family nutritional needs.
Furthermore, Governor Khofifah also purchased various products from micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) participating in the cheap market event, demonstrating support for strengthening local economies. Subsequently, the MSME products were distributed to residents attending the cheap market.
Meanwhile, Siti, a resident working as a cigarette factory worker, expressed that she greatly benefited from the cheap market event, particularly ahead of Eid al-Fitr when household needs typically increase.
“Thank you for holding the cheap market; it has been very helpful to the community,” she said.
Similar sentiments were shared by local resident Ana, who expressed gratitude for receiving rice aid directly from Governor Khofifah and obtaining staple goods at affordable prices.
“Thank you for providing free groceries, and by holding the cheap market, residents get affordable prices,” she concluded.