Pramono Talks Rice and Fuel Stocks Amid US–Iran Conflict, Residents Urged Not to Panic Buy

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com — Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung has assured that stockpiles of essential goods and petroleum fuels (BBM) in Jakarta remain safe despite global geopolitical tensions intensifying following the conflict between the United States and Iran. Pramono also urged the public not to buy excessively or panic-buy. ‘So for Jakarta, the areas covering essential needs, from rice, meat, red curly chilli peppers, and others, we guarantee that it is safe. In fact there is surplus stock,’ Pramono said when asked at Srengseng Sawah, South Jakarta, on Friday (7 March 2026). ‘We hope we can keep this up.’ He said the DKI provincial government has prepared steps to maintain meat price stability, one of which is by bringing in cattle in large numbers. ‘Why then did our meat imports come in 2,000 head? We prepared thoroughly so that meat prices in Jakarta do not rise,’ he said. In addition to food, Pramono stressed that the availability of BBM in Jakarta is also in a safe condition. The capital city, he said, is always a priority in national energy distribution. ‘As for BBM, Jakarta is of course always a priority for its stock, because we also hold our own stock,’ he said. He is confident that there will be no panic buying of BBM in Jakarta despite the tensions in the Middle East raising concerns about BBM supplies. Pramono also urged people to ‘mudik to Jakarta’ for Eid al-Fitr 2026. According to him, this could help conserve BBM usage. ‘I still urge people to migrate to Jakarta for Eid so that BBM is not wasted elsewhere; hopefully this can proceed well,’ he said. Earlier, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia said national BBM reserves remain sufficient for 20 days. Bahlil said this ahead of attending a meeting with President Prabowo Subianto at the Istana, Jakarta, Monday (2 March 2026), regarding the situation in the Middle East. ‘Still enough, 20 days,’ he said at the Istana, Jakarta. He ensured there are no problems related to domestic BBM subsidies related to the Middle East conflict. However, he noted there could be adjustments to global oil prices as a result of the continuing Middle East tensions. ‘To date there is no problem, but global prices will certainly adjust when geopolitical conditions in the Middle East continue to heat up,’ he said.