President Joko Widodo directly checked the availability of cooking oil at a number of market locations and supermarkets. This was done by the President while in Yogyakarta on Sunday morning (March 13, 2022).
When he arrived at a mini market in Pasar Kembang, Yogyakarta at 09.05 WIB, the President immediately walked to the cooking oil place. But at that time, there was no stock of cooking oil.
“Since when isn’t there?” asked the President. “Just this morning, sir,” replied the minimarket guard. The President also asked the selling price of the cooking oil. “For two liters, it is Rp. 28,000, but for one liter, it is Rp. 14,000,” said the minimarket guard.
Not only asking the price, the President also wants to know about the delivery of the cooking oil. “But when will you come again?” asked the President. “You don’t have to, sir,” said the shopkeeper.
In addition to visiting supermarkets, the President also checked directly the availability of cooking oil at traders in Beringharjo Market and Sentul Market, Yogyakarta. In both markets, the President found prices that varied, ranging from Rp. 14,000 per liter to Rp. 20,000 per liter.
However, the high price of cooking oil also does not guarantee the availability of stock. “The goods are there, but they are expensive,” said the President, commenting on the high price of cooking oil. “There is but it’s slow, sir, when it’s finished it will take a long time,” said the merchant.
Another problem is that there is no definite schedule for the delivery of cooking oil to traders and supermarkets. The President did not hear a definite answer when the cooking oil would be delivered. Almost all of the merchants answered that they did not know when the next shipment would be.
“Yes, you don’t have to, sir, it can be every three days,” said one of the traders met by the President.
Separately, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung in his press statement in Balikpapan said that direct checks carried out by President Jokowi were a norm when in the region, including the matter of cooking oil.
“In principle, Mr. President, in every visit to the region, he must also carry out inspections to see problems related to cooking oil and he understands this very well,” said Pramono.
Furthermore, Pramono explained that the President will soon decide on the steps the government will take in the near future regarding the cooking oil. The Head of State will also soon hold a meeting with his staff after the event in the National Capital (IKN) of the Archipelago.
“This cannot be allowed to remain for too long, so it is planned that after returning from this IKN event, the President will hold an internal meeting to immediately decide on issues related to this cooking oil,” he explained.
In addition, Pramono also mentioned that the government would ask crude palm oil (CPO) producers to prioritize domestic needs.
“Judging from our total production (CPO), which is almost 50 million, almost 26-28 million is exported, so that part of the export must be prioritized for domestic interests. So, producers must be asked to prioritize the interests of our society at this time, even though prices are very high outside, “said Pramono Anung.