Jakarta, The Indonesia Post – President Joko Widodo stated his commitment to continue to provide subsidies for the price of fuel oil, gas and electricity despite the government’s heavy fiscal burden.
“Although our fiscal burden is heavy, the government has committed to continue providing subsidies to the public, both related to Pertalite fuel and diesel fuel, related to gas and electricity. We will continue to guard this,” said President Jokowi during the Plenary Cabinet Session at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday.
To relax the state’s fiscal condition or the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN), the President ordered ministries and agencies, as well as state-owned enterprises to implement as much spending efficiency as possible.
“So that the government has fiscal leeway,” he added.
The President emphasized that the current policy is to prioritize so that the prices of goods, both energy and food goods, are affordable by all people.
He also ordered his staff to boost the production of domestic goods in order to minimize imports so that they can help maintain the availability of goods and price stability in the market.
Cooking oil
For food commodities, especially bulk cooking oil, President Jokowi specifically ordered the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan and the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) to ensure prices in all provinces were equivalent to the government regulation of Rp. 14,000 per liter.
“Earlier, I asked the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, and the new Minister of Trade, they still asked for 2 weeks to 1 month. I think as soon as possible, so that the price is reached so that it can be affordable by the community,” he said.
Since the end of May 2022, Luhut has been assigned by President Jokowi to overcome the chaos of the scarcity of cooking oil, and the increase in the price of basic commodities. Meanwhile, Zulhas as the Minister of Trade (Mendag), is the minister in charge of the development of prices for goods and services.
For other food commodities, the President requested an increase in production capacity. He asked each region to increase production capacity for food commodities, especially food commodities that are unique to their respective regions.
“Massive production increase, whether from farmers, corporations, state-owned enterprises. Everything must be increased, not following daily routines,” he said. (mhn/ojn/bbs)
Comment