MPR urges government to anticipate price rises in plastics to fertilisers

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI Eddy Soeparno has urged the government to anticipate price increases in plastics to fertilisers resulting from the energy crisis caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Eddy, in a statement in Jakarta on Monday, explained that the reduced supply of oil and gas products due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz would lead to rises in prices of hydrocarbon-based products.

“A number of essential needs whose raw materials are sourced from oil and gas have already or will experience price increases,” he said.

At present, Eddy continued, besides crude oil and gas, finished products derived from oil and gas such as plastics, fertilisers, medicines, and ready-made clothing are items whose production costs are surging, thus automatically increasing their selling prices.

He appreciated the government’s move to absorb fuel price increases to prevent erosion of people’s purchasing power. However, Eddy called on the government to anticipate price fluctuations that are rising due to the current global energy crisis.

“The government needs to anticipate price increases in plastic products such as instant noodle packaging, bottled drinking water, household appliances, and others. Food prices will automatically rise as well due to the increase in fertiliser prices, which use gas as raw material,” he said.

Eddy is confident that the government will provide buffers or absorb the impact of rises in various essential needs for the community, especially for the economically weak, through subsidies or other social safety nets.

“Nevertheless, as members of society, we also have a responsibility to take actions to save energy and recycle, especially plastics,” he stated.

Therefore, he supports the government campaigning for a national efficiency programme.

“Among them, to prevent food from being wasted extravagantly, reduce the use of plastic packaging, and provide incentives for the public to use public transport, especially electric public transport such as electric buses or MRT,” Eddy remarked.