ORI: Rising Staple Food Prices Linked to Public Service Effectiveness

The Indonesian Ombudsman (ORI) considers the increase in staple food prices to be not only an economic problem but also related to the effectiveness of public services and the fulfilment of the public’s right to basic needs. ORI member Abdul Ghoffar stated that the staple goods price data came from a survey of staple food prices in several traditional markets in DKI Jakarta, Central Java, and West Nusa Tenggara conducted in May 2026. “The survey was carried out by the Indonesian Ombudsman as a manifestation of its functional duties, particularly in the trade sector,” Abdul said in a confirmed statement in Jakarta on Wednesday. Through its oversight function, the Indonesian Ombudsman is committed to ensuring that every state organiser carries out quality, high-integrity public service duties and provides service certainty for the community, including the Trade Policy Agency (BKPerdag) of the Ministry of Trade in the trade sector. Therefore, going forward, the Indonesian Ombudsman hopes for increasingly close coordination and collaboration with BKPerdag to strengthen public service governance, prevent potential maladministration, and encourage the formulation of trade policies that are responsive to the needs and interests of the public. Previously, Abdul provided guidance during a socialisation event on the role and function of the Indonesian Ombudsman for BKPerdag employees in Jakarta on Wednesday (3/6). The event, aimed at strengthening the capacity of professional, accountable, and public service-oriented human resources, was also attended by Head of BKPerdag Mardyana Listyowati, Secretary of BKPerdag Muhammad Suaib Sulaiman, and all BKPerdag staff. BKPerdag is an organisational unit under the Ministry of Trade tasked with conducting analysis and providing policy recommendations in the trade sector to support government decision-making. In carrying out its duties and functions, BKPerdag is guided by Presidential Regulation Number 168 of 2024 and Minister of Trade Regulation Number 6 of 2025. Data on report handling for the first quarter of 2026 at the Indonesian Ombudsman was dominated by public service issues in the fields of agrarian affairs/defence, personnel, and education. He also explained the relevance of the Indonesian Ombudsman’s role to the duties and functions of BKPerdag. In the process of policy formulation and implementation, the Ombudsman plays a role in supervising aspects of procedural compliance, fairness, and the quality of public services. Meanwhile, at the policy monitoring and evaluation stage, the results of supervision and public reports received by the Indonesian Ombudsman can serve as important input for the government in refining trade policies. “In addition, ORI also supervises the implementation of administration and information services to ensure they comply with applicable service standards,” he said.