Prabowo Firm: Basic Commodity Prices Must Not Rise Until Eid

President Prabowo Subianto has instructed Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan to ensure that prices of nine essential food commodities (sembako) do not increase during Ramadan until Eid al-Fitr. Hasan stated that he has been ordered to travel directly to regions to ensure the availability and affordability of food for the public.

“I have been instructed to travel around ensuring food supply, free nutritious meals (MBG), village cooperatives (Kopdes/Red and White Village Cooperatives), and waste management are functioning properly. Of course, essential food items must be available and affordable during fasting and Eid, and prices must not rise,” said Hasan following a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday (2 March 2026).

He added that the President also instructed strict monitoring of food stocks during the Ramadan to Eid al-Fitr period. “Yes, we are ensuring that food stocks are monitored strictly from the fasting month until Eid,” said Hasan.

In a separate meeting, the President also called in Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to discuss energy issues, particularly concerning the crisis in the Middle East region. Bahlil reported on the current state of the energy sector following Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz for an undetermined period.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, particularly for exporting countries in the West Asian region destined for Asian markets.

“(The report to the President) concerns geopolitical conditions and Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This is also in anticipation of global oil supply, since we are still importing oil ahead of Eid,” said Bahlil.