Start of Ramadan: Food Task Force Inspects Staple Prices at Koja Market
Jakarta Metropolitan Police, through the Food Task Force of the Trade and Industry Sub-directorate at the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate, carried out monitoring of staple food prices at Koja Baru Market in North Jakarta. The operation was conducted to maintain price stability during Ramadan and ahead of Idul Fitri 2026.
Observed at the location on Thursday (19/2/2026) at 09:00 Western Indonesian Time, the inspection was led by Head of the Trade and Industry Sub-directorate, Senior Commissioner Muhammad Ardila Amry, accompanied by National Food Agency (Bapanas) Head Budi Waryanto and Perum Bulog Jakarta Regional Head Taufan. Traders were interviewed one by one.
Senior Commissioner Muhammad Ardila Amry said the inspection was carried out by the Clean Sweep Task Force (Saber) for Price Violations, Food Safety and Quality. He stated that these inspections would be conducted daily throughout Ramadan and ahead of Idul Fitri.
“We come from various stakeholders joined together to carry out inspections. Actually, these inspections are not just today — we conduct them every day. Every day we cover a minimum of 46 points within the Jakarta Metropolitan Police jurisdiction,” said Ardila.
Ardila said his team goes directly to both traditional markets and modern retail outlets to check staple food stocks and supplies, as well as to ensure safety and quality.
“We are also here to protect consumers and producers so that they receive fair prices. And also to ensure that commodity products are safe and of good quality,” he explained.
“The series of steps and efforts we undertake begin with pre-emptive measures, as you have just seen. There is outreach and education to traders regarding government-regulated prices. For example, several commodities are regulated under the Maximum Retail Price (HET) and others under the Government Reference Price (HAP),” he added.
During the visit, the entourage checked food prices at the market. First, the group approached a chicken seller to ask about current prices for dressed chicken.
“What’s the price, Sir?” asked a Bapanas staff member.
“One kilogram is Rp 55,000. Half a kilo is Rp 30,000. On normal days it’s Rp 40,000,” replied the trader.
While recording prices, the Food Task Force entourage and stakeholders approached other traders. They also educated them about the Maximum Retail Price (HET) and urged traders not to raise prices.
“It’s been expensive for almost a month now because of the rainy season,” said a vegetable trader.
“Compared to last week?” asked a Bapanas staff member.
“Holding steady — it depends on the weather. If prices come down from the source, they come down here too,” the trader replied.