Metro Police Task Force Tightens Surveillance of Food Prices and Quality Ahead of Eid
The Metro Jaya Police Task Force for Clean Sweep Against Price, Security and Food Quality Violations (Satgas Saber Pangan) convened a regional coordination meeting with the agenda of discussing stricter surveillance of food commodity prices and quality ahead of Lebaran. The meeting was held in the Itama Meeting Room, 2nd Floor of the Metro Jaya Police Promoter Building in South Jakarta.
The meeting took place on Thursday, 27 February 2026, chaired directly by AKBP M Ardila Amry, Deputy Head of Section I for Trade Affairs at the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Metro Jaya Police.
“The importance of cross-institutional collaboration in regulating traders who lack business permits, including the possibility of administrative sanctions up to cancellation of market stall contracts if they continue to violate regulations, especially if they sell essential commodities above the maximum retail price (HET),” Ardila stated during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by various strategic elements, including the National Food Security Agency (Bapanas), State Logistics Company (Bulog), Jakarta Market Regional-Owned Enterprise (Perumda Pasar Jaya), and relevant agencies from the Jakarta Provincial Government, Banten and West Java. District criminal investigation heads from the Metro Jaya Police’s jurisdictional areas also participated.
AKBP Ardila reported that to date, the Metro Jaya Police’s Satgas Saber Pangan task force, commanded by the Special Criminal Investigation Director, has conducted inspections at 46 locations with smooth operations. However, several obstacles remain in the field, including many traders lacking a Business Identification Number (NIB).
The meeting also discussed oversight of strategic commodities requiring serious attention, including dried corn kernels for instance.
Officials were asked to ensure inspections focus on the correct commodities—corn for animal feed, not human consumption corn.
“Similarly with soybeans, inspections should focus on tofu and tempeh manufacturers, not just markets,” Ardila stated.
He revealed that according to Bapanas data, red chilli prices recorded an increase of up to 45.45 percent. He noted that critical price oversight points fall within two weeks before Eid.
“Therefore, strict action against HET violations is expected to be expedited immediately,” he emphasised.
Meanwhile, Bulog assured that rice and cooking oil stocks are sufficient for market intervention in the Jakarta area. Bulog also opened opportunities for traders to become distributors of Minyakita (subsidised cooking oil), provided they have obtained a NIB and Simira account.
The Investment and Integrated One-Stop Service Office (PMPTSP) also stated readiness to provide guidance and accelerate NIB issuance for traders lacking business permits. Business closure can be implemented if business operators lack a NIB entirely.
“This coordination meeting represents a tangible expression of collective commitment from all stakeholders in maintaining food stability, protecting the public from unjustified price spikes, and ensuring the distribution of essential commodities remains safe and controlled,” Ardila stated.
“With strong synergy among law enforcement, local government, and business operators, it is hoped that the public can observe the holy month of Ramadan through to Eid al-Fitr peacefully, without concerns arising from price fluctuations and food distribution disruptions,” he added.