Metro Police Find Bird's Eye Chilli and Sugar Being Sold Above Maximum Retail Price
Jakarta Metro Police’s Price Violation, Security and Food Quality Task Force (Satgas Saber) discovered several food commodities still being sold above the Maximum Retail Price (HET) during market monitoring conducted in March 2026.
AKBP Muh Ardila Amry, Deputy Head of the Commercial Crime Investigation Directorate at Jakarta Metro Police, stated that several commodities found being sold above the prescribed price included red bird’s eye chilli, MinyaKita cooking oil, and consumption sugar across various districts.
“For red bird’s eye chilli, almost across all checked areas it is still being sold above HET. This is a matter of joint concern so that a solution can be found quickly to stabilise market prices,” said Ardila on Monday, 16 March 2026.
The task force also continues to find traders selling cooking oil above the government-set price. Meanwhile, for consumption sugar, four areas were found selling above the stipulated price.
Authorities also focused attention on beef commodities. Based on monitoring results, beef is now classified into three categories: front leg, back leg, and frozen beef.
Additionally, the evaluation highlighted the sale of live poultry by slaughterhouses (RPH) that did not comply with regulations.
“Slaughterhouses are not permitted to sell poultry in live form. If violations are still found, we have already issued warning letters to the relevant parties,” he said.
As a monitoring measure, the task force conducted market interventions by affixing reference price guidance stickers or HET to traders. Traders proven to be selling above the set price will be sent a statement letter accompanied by warning stickers placed on the relevant shop or store.
“If a trader has a business identification number (NIB) and continues to sell above the reference or retail price, we will recommend the revocation of their business licence to the investment and licence office (DPMPTSP),” he explained.
Authorities will continue conducting market checks to ensure price stability and protect consumers from selling practices above government-determined prices.
“Checking activities will continue until there is an order from the central task force to halt the activities,” he concluded.