By: Alfisyah Kumalasari) *
Eid is a moment where the availability and price of basic commodities are in the spotlight. Indonesian House Speaker Bambang Soesatyo said he had encouraged the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) together with the Regional Government to anticipate the increase in prices of basic necessities ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1440 hijri.
“One of them is by checking the stock of basic needs in each region as well as the readiness of producers and distributors to face increasing demand in the E-3 Eid,” Bambang said.
It also requested that the food sector staff can increase supervision by conducting inspection, both to stock storage and markets throughout Indonesia.
This is done with the aim of avoiding the presence of producers, distributors or traders who seek profits by stockpiling food stocks.
In addition, the Golkar politician also called on the food sector task force to check out expired products or imported goods that are not suitable for consumption, such as those usually circulating ahead of Eid later.
In Jakarta, the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government also ensures that the availability of basic food stocks during the month of Ramadan until the Eid Al-Fitr 2019 is safe.
DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has also coordinated through SKPD and BUMD with the central government, and said it would anticipate the availability of food stocks. Control of strategic food prices and preparation of cheap market activities.
“So it is certain that the stock of basic needs for residents of Jakarta and surrounding areas is good,” said Regional Secretary, Saefullah.
PT Tjipinang Jaya Food Station has also prepared the stock owned and through bulog. And, ready to assist in carrying out low-cost market activities that will be held in several areas of DKI Jakarta.
In Aceh, the Aceh Provincial Government also collaborated with the ministry of trade through the directorate general of domestic trade. It also continued to monitor stock availability, distribution and price stabilization ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
“We also monitor the availability of goods in Gundang Bulog. So that we can overcome the price fluctuations in the market. I hope that the activities in the post-coordination field can be more effective. We know that economic stability is a very important thing, “said Aceh Governor Nova Iriansyah.
He also said that Ramadan in Aceh has very high and solemn meanings. This is due to the application of Islamic requirements that animate the Acehnese people. Therefore, supervision of price stability and availability of basic needs must be carried out early in order to maintain public conduciveness so that they can feel calm during Ramadan.
Eid Transportation Preparation.
In the Transportation sector, the Ministry of Transportation began preparing transportation back and forth for Eid al-Fitr or Eid 2019. He also considered expanding the engineering for operational arrangements for goods transport vehicles so that traffic would be more smooth. This year his party is also preparing for a free homecoming program.
“The bus for free homecoming that we have prepared is quite a lot. Last year there were 1,136 fleets, now there are more than 1200 buses, “said Budi Setyawan as Director General of Land Transportation.
In fact, the Ministry of Transportation has poured funds amounting to Rp 34 billion for free homecoming in 2019. The Ministry of Transportation has provided 54 thousand bus seats for Lebaran mudik flow in 2019.
The budget also changes from 2018 to a total of 27 billion, in 2019 to 34 billion, “Budi said.
The purpose of this free homecoming is that it wants the community to get closer to public transportation, and reduce motorcycle use when going home Lebaran. According to him Lebaran homecoming on a motorcycle is very prone to accidents.
“We want to invite the public not to use motorbikes or their personal transportation and then switch to public transportation. At a minimum we educate the public to use public transport, “he concluded.
In addition to the Land Line, the Ministry of Transportation has also opened alternative transportation by sea. In addition, travelers can also bring their motorbikes on board.
For the free 2019 homecoming program using sea transportation, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation prepares a ship, with a capacity of 2000 passengers and 1000 motorbikes for one voyage.
) * The author is a socio-economic observer