Home Affairs Ministry Secretary General urges regional governments to address rising commodity prices

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Tomsi Tohir, has urged regional government apparatuses in areas experiencing rises in red chilli prices to promptly take control measures. Tomsi stated that, based on Ministry of Home Affairs data as of 11 May 2026, 242 regions saw an increase in red chilli prices during the first week of May 2026. “Regional governments may choose not to build or collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture to plant chillies, with the caveat that chilli prices must not rise,” Tomsi said in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday. This was conveyed by Tomsi Tohir at the Regional Inflation Control Coordination Meeting at the Sasana Bhakti Praja Building (SBP) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Jakarta, on Monday (11/5). Tomsi noted that, according to Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) data, some regions have yet to collaborate with Kementan in supporting the Prospective Farmers and Prospective Locations (CPCL) programme specifically for boosting red chilli production. There are also regions that have rejected allocations of chilli cultivation areas for the programme. Nevertheless, he urged regions to control red chilli prices, as such increases directly impact the public. On the other hand, at the same forum, Tomsi appreciated the abundant rice availability, amounting to 5.19 million tonnes, which is the highest achievement in history. “Please, Madam (Perum Bulog), identify the regions where prices are still high and contact their Bulog offices to increase distribution,” Tomsi said. He reiterated that the highest retail price (HET) serves as the government’s standard for monitoring commodity price increases and invited regional governments to ensure that the prices of basic necessities remain stable and do not exceed the HET. Tomsi acknowledged that the challenges and dynamics in stabilising commodity prices at the regional level are not easy. However, reflecting on various conditions experienced in previous years, regions have proven capable of controlling prices. Therefore, he encouraged regions to learn from past experiences in addressing price rises, particularly during the rainy or dry seasons. “With weekly meetings and years of experiencing the same seasons—rainy, hot, high waves—we should already be able to address these patterns. We should already be able to overcome our difficulties,” Tomsi stated.