Jakarta – Regional governments across various areas have intensified market operations during the month of Ramadan to maintain price stability and the availability of essential commodities. This measure aims to anticipate the surge in public demand while curbing potential inflation to safeguard purchasing power, particularly among middle- and lower-income groups.
In Jawa Tengah, price stabilization efforts are being carried out through the Cheap Food Movement (Gerakan Pangan Murah/GPM), which is being implemented extensively across all regencies and cities. Governor Ahmad Luthfi stated that the initiative reflects the provincial government’s commitment to ensuring food stocks and prices remain under control throughout Ramadan and leading up to Eid al-Fitr.
“To ensure stock availability and price stability of essential goods during Ramadan, as well as to guarantee food affordability, the Central Java Provincial Government through the Food Security Agency will hold 308 Cheap Food Movement events. These activities will run through March 2026 across all regencies and cities,” he explained.
A similar step has been taken by the Provincial Government of Kalimantan Barat by organizing low-cost market operations as a form of price intervention for staple goods. This policy is intended to suppress regional inflation while maintaining people’s purchasing power during the holy month of Ramadan. Since early morning, public enthusiasm has been high, with market operation sites crowded by residents, most of whom are homemakers.
Governor Ria Norsan explained that the provincial government provides direct subsidies for basic food packages to make them more affordable for the public.
“A staple food package consisting of 5 kilograms of premium rice, 1 liter of cooking oil, and 1 kilogram of sugar normally costs around Rp120,000 at market price. Through subsidies from the West Kalimantan Provincial Government, we have reduced the price to Rp90,000,” he said.
He added that the market operations are expected to maintain price stability, control inflation, and ensure food availability at affordable prices ahead of major religious holidays. Regional governments continue to monitor distribution to ensure smooth supply flows and prevent shortages.
Agricultural observer Eliza Mardian from the Center of Reform on Economics (CORE) assessed that market operations during Ramadan are fairly effective in maintaining people’s purchasing power. She encouraged expanding the number of locations and increasing the frequency of implementation.
“Market operations during Ramadan are quite effective in safeguarding purchasing power. Going forward, the number of locations should be expanded and ideally conducted daily throughout Ramadan. The government’s priority right now should be maintaining purchasing power, especially among middle- and lower-income groups,” Eliza said.
She emphasized that overall, the government’s current implementation of market operations is on the right track and should continue to be strengthened so that its benefits can be felt more broadly by the community. (*)