Zulhas reports to Prabowo on findings from checks on food availability and prices
Jakarta — Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan arrived at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon to report the results of his ministry’s rounds inspecting the availability and prices of food in a number of regions.
From the checks, Zulhas said chili prices remain relatively high because supply from farmers has declined due to the rainy season.
“I have been assigned three days a week to check the availability of food, MBG (Makan Bergizi Gratis, Free Nutritious Meals), Village Cooperatives, Fishing Villages, and then preparations for higher paddy production, irrigation, and fertilisers,” said the coordinating minister before meeting President Prabowo.
In the same occasion, Zulhas explained he had been asked to monitor prices should they rise during the fasting month.
“I deal with food security, how during Eid the availability and affordable prices. And for those rises I have been asked — I have already been asked to travel around Indonesia — to meet regents and mayors for bazaar operations or market operations,” Zulhas said.
President Prabowo on Wednesday afternoon summoned several ministers to a limited meeting to discuss a number of issues. Ministers summoned to the Istana included the Coordinating Minister for Food, the Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and the Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar. The ministers arrived at the Istana one by one since 14:30 WIB.
Zulhas, when asked by reporters before reporting to the President, could not provide further information about the results of his checks.
“Lapor dulu ya, nanti habis itu (baru memberikan penjelasan),” he said.
Nevertheless, regarding chili prices that rose relatively during the fasting month, Zulhas briefly revealed the assessment of former Vice Presidents Jusuf Kalla (the 10th and the 12th). The two met during a national issues discussion at the Merdeka Palace on Tuesday night.
“Mr JK (Jusuf Kalla) protested last night; if chili is expensive, let it be; he said chilli farmers can buy new clothes once a year,” Zulhas said.