Prabowo orders Zulhas to prevent basic goods price increases through Eid

President Prabowo has therefore instructed Zulhas to travel directly to regions to verify food availability whilst ensuring that food prices and basic goods remain affordable for the public.

“I have been ordered to tour and ensure food provision, free nutritious meals, and village cooperatives are functioning properly. Additionally, waste management must proceed well and of course basic goods must be available, affordable, and prices must not increase during Ramadan and Eid,” said the Coordinating Minister for Food in response to journalists’ questions following a meeting at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Monday.

Zulhas also conveyed that during the meeting, President Prabowo instructed strict monitoring of food stocks.

“Yes, we are ensuring that during Ramadan through Eid, food stocks are monitored strictly,” said Zulhas.

In addition to Zulhas, the President also summoned Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to discuss several energy-related matters, particularly following the crisis in the Middle East region.

Bahlil reported on the current state of energy affairs, especially following Iran’s Navy’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz for an indefinite period.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the vital chokepoints in the Western Asia region, particularly for oil-exporting nations shipping to destinations across Asia.

“(Report to the President, ed.) this may concern current conditions, geopolitics, concerning the closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, as this also requires anticipating global oil supply, given that we continue to import oil before Eid,” said Bahlil in response to journalists’ questions.