High Inflation Prompts South Kalimantan to Launch Cheap Food Movement
The South Kalimantan provincial government is continuing to advance the Cheap Food Movement (GPM) ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 Hijri, as part of efforts to combat high inflation in the region. Thousands of basic necessity packages were distributed free of charge to residents during the GPM event organised by the provincial government on Monday, 16 March.
“We continue to carry out this cheap food movement across all districts during Ramadan, particularly leading up to Eid al-Fitr. This is also connected to our efforts to suppress the high prices of basic necessities for the community and inflation,” said M Syarifudin, Secretary of South Kalimantan Provincial Government, when opening the GPM event held at the office grounds of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Food Security (DPKP) in Banjarbaru.
He stated that the high inflation in South Kalimantan is influenced by increases in gold and electricity prices, in addition to other triggers such as airline tickets and prices of various commodities. Previously, the Indonesia Central Bank’s South Kalimantan office reported that the province experienced monthly inflation of 0.86 per cent (month-on-month) in February 2026 and 5.97 per cent year-on-year. This inflation rate is among the highest in Indonesia.
The Head of the South Kalimantan Department of Plantation and Livestock, Suparmi, emphasised that the stock of basic necessities in South Kalimantan, particularly eggs, meat and cooking oil, is very sufficient. “The stock of basic necessities for the community in South Kalimantan is safe and very adequate. However, there is indeed a price increase ahead of Eid al-Fitr,” he said.
In this GPM event, four regional government units served as organisers: the DPKP Department, the Bunak Department, the ESDM Department, and the Department of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of South Kalimantan. Basic necessities sold to the community averaged 30 per cent cheaper than market prices. Around 1,500 basic necessity packages were also distributed free of charge to orphans and low-income residents.
“For the price, we subsidise 30 per cent from market rates. There are also some that we distribute free to the community, as well as bonuses,” said Syamsir Rahman, Head of the PKP Department of South Kalimantan Province, who assisted in selling at the Disbunak stand. Media observations showed that the GPM activity was crowded with residents seeking to purchase various basic necessities at affordable prices.