Minyakita ceiling price remains unchanged to protect consumers, says trade minister

The Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, stated that the decision not to increase the maximum retail price (HET) for Minyakita is intended to protect consumers.

“It has not increased so far. This is in accordance with the results of the meeting, which involved several considerations,” said Minister Budi in Jakarta on Tuesday.

According to him, maintaining the current HET for Minyakita is a government effort to protect the public and consumers, even though Crude Palm Oil (CPO) prices are currently experiencing an upward trend.

He explained that any decision to raise oil prices requires further coordination with various stakeholders, including farmers, producers, and consumers.

However, Budi ensured that, as of now, the HET for Minyakita remains at Rp15,700 per litre because there are several considerations that the government must address.

“I would like to convey that there are many considerations. There is the aspect of the product, meaning the farmers; then there are distribution costs, and also the consumers,” he said.

Previously, the Head of the Government Communication Agency (Bakom), Muhammad Qodari, stated that the government is committed to maintaining the maximum retail price of Minyakita at Rp15,700 per litre to preserve public purchasing power amidst rising production costs caused by the increase in global palm oil prices.

According to him, the availability of affordable cooking oil for the public is a priority for President Prabowo Subianto.

“For President Prabowo, the most important thing is the availability of cooking oil at an affordable price for the Indonesian people,” Qodari said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

Qodari added that the government understands that the price of basic necessities is always a primary concern for the public. Therefore, the price stability of Minyakita remains essential.