Zulhas Responds to Traders' Complaints About Surge in Plastic Prices

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan, or Zulhas, responded to a trader’s complaint about the recent surge in plastic prices. This was conveyed by Gemi, a 58-year-old trader, when Zulhas and Trade Minister Budi Santoso inspected prices of staple goods following Eid al-Fitr at Pasar Minggu market in South Jakarta today.

Gemi informed Zulhas that plastic prices had risen to around Rp 6,000 per package since Eid. In response, Zulhas stated that similar complaints were not limited to traders at Pasar Minggu but were faced by nearly all traders.

Zulhas explained that plastic prices had skyrocketed because plastic pellets had also risen sharply. This was due to plastic being derived from petroleum, which has been affected by the intensifying conflict in the Middle East recently.

Therefore, Zulhas said his side would discuss this issue specifically and invite relevant parties to explain the causes of the plastic pellet price increase. “We will invite several related parties regarding these plastic pellets,” he said, as quoted from Antara.

During the inspection, he also assured that national food security remains safe despite the war in the Middle East, as Indonesia does not depend on imports from that region. “There is no food that depends on the Middle East, none,” Zulhas stated.

Meanwhile, several commodities, such as wheat from Europe and America, according to him, have undisturbed supplies even amid the Iraq-US war with Iran. “We don’t have soybeans; they come from Europe and America. So there is no food that depends on the Middle East,” he added.

Furthermore, Zulhas urged the public not to worry about the impact of the war in the Middle East on food availability. Domestic food stocks and procurement are ensured to be safe and under control, so the public is advised not to make excessive purchases.

He added that the government is grateful for implementing food self-sufficiency policies from the start, so Indonesia is now independent in food and able to anticipate potential crises early.

“Our rice last year had a surplus of about 4 million tonnes; I think this year there will also be 4 million tonnes. So, God willing, rice stocks this year to next will be safe. Corn is safe, chicken meat is safe, eggs are safe, vegetables we plant ourselves,” he said.