Here is City's Effort to Control Inflation Rate and Conducivity During Ramadan

Jakarta Acting Governor, Heru Budi Hartono led the High Level Meeting (HLM) of the Jakarta Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) regarding preparations for the National Religious Holidays (HBKN) during Ramadan and Idul Fitri 1444 H/2023 AD at City Hall, Monday (3/20).

We must monitor and keep the inflation rate under control

The meeting was attended by the ranks of Regional Apparatus Organizations (OPD), Regional-Owned Enterprises (BUMD), and Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda).

According to him, Jakarta has the highest national share of the economy and inflation, thus the economic improvement and control of Jakarta's inflation will have a significant national impact.

Welcoming Ramadan with Cleaning Mosques and Musala in Jakarta

He disclosed Jakarta's inflation was the lowest compared to other provinces in Indonesia in February 2023, namely 4.07 percent (year on year). Following the President's directives to Regional Governments to take steps to control inflation, monitor and maintain the supply and prices of basic commodities.

"Especially ahead of Ramadan and Idul Fitri, we must monitor and keep the inflation rate under control. For this reason, we in Jakarta also went directly to the market several times to monitor directly," he expressed.

Historically, volatile food commodities have been pushed up during the HBKN, especially rice, purebred chicken meat, purebred chicken eggs, various chilies and cooking oil. Based on the calculation of the 2023 Food Needs prognosis, it is estimated that ahead of Ramadan 2023, there will be an increase in food needs ranging from 3.88 to 10.70 percent and ahead of the 2023 Idul Fitri HBKN, there will be an increase ranging from 4.54 to 14.43 percent.

"We ensure the availability of ten strategic food commodities such as rice, beef/buffalo meat, chicken meat, broiler chicken eggs, curly chilies, red ceyenne chilies, garlic, shallots, granulated sugar, and cooking oil during Ramadan and Idul Fitri are in sufficient condition, and found in BUMN, BUMD Food, retail traders," he explained.

The availability of 3-kg LPG gas ahead of Ramadan and Idul Fitri is also in sufficient condition. Jakarta TPID has six strategies to ensure stock availability and supplies in safe quantities:

1. Routine monitoring regarding the availability of price and quality carried out by Regional Apparatus Organization (OPD) of Jakarta Provincial Government, BUMD, Bank Indonesia, and Food Task Force

2. Maintain the supply of food entering Jakarta, including through cooperation with the Central Government and cooperation between business actors for the supply and distribution of food. Fulfillment of Food through Interregional Cooperation (KAD) on a Business to Business (B2B) basis for the commodities of rice, beef, chicken meat, chicken eggs, chilies, and shallots in 36 regencies/cities in nine provinces

3. Controlling inflation expectations through HBKN Cheap Market Activities to support the 2023 National Food Inflation Control Movement (GNPIP) and Cheap Food Movement (GPM) by Jakarta Government, National Food Agency (Bapanas), Food BUMD, Bulog, and Bank Indonesia. Cheap Food Movement is carried out on tour and also at fixed locations

4. Synergy with the Central Government, such as Agriculture Ministry, National Food Agency, Trade Ministry, Industry Ministry, Perum Bulog, and ID Food

5. Effective communication using mass media, social media, and talkshows by TPID members including Bank Indonesia, Regional Apparatuses, Food BUMD, Bulog, and Bapanas with the aim of informing the public about the adequacy of food stocks and preventing public panic buying

These various efforts are a manifestation of Jakarta Government's commitment to boosting Jakarta's economic growth and keeping the inflation rate under control.

"We urge residents to remain calm and wise in shopping because of the availability of stock and supplies in a safe condition. Residents can see consumer prices through the Jakarta Food Info (IPJ) on the infopangan.jakarta.go.id website and the JAKI application on the Jak Pangan feature," he uttered.

Polda Metro Jaya Chief, Insp. Gen. Pol. Fadil Imran added the police would assist the Jakarta Government in passing the atmosphere of the holy month of Ramadan to Idul Fitri 1444 Hijriah in a safe and peaceful atmosphere.

"We'll mobilize members to discipline residents if they carry out activities that disturb comfort such as gathering at night, especially during Tarawih and Sahur on the road (SOTR) services," he explained.

He hoped that Muslims could observe their fast in peace, and all Jakarta residents still feel a safe, comfortable, and conducive environment. He ensured, Polda Metro Jaya would actively assist Jakarta Government in monitoring crowd activities in order not to disturb residents' comfort and create potential disturbances to security and public order.

"We will help to regulate nightlife locations, thus their operating hours can be adjusted. We want everyone to appreciate activities during the month of Ramadan, thus no one violates bylaws," he stated.