Governor Fauzi Bowo has pledged to safeguard basic food commodity prices, which tend to increase ahead of the Idul Fitri celebrations, this year falling on Sept. 21.

The governor, deputy governor and a number of officials visited Jatinegara market, Cipinang market and Cakung slaughterhouse in East Jakarta on Saturday to check prices and supplies of basic foodstuffs.

"Jakarta residents don't need to panic ahead of Idul Fitri because we will control the prices by means of ensuring adequate supplies and market sales," Fauzi said.

Prices of perishable products such as red chili, beef and chicken usually go up several days before the holiday.

During the visit, Fauzi noted that beef prices tended to soar as Idul Fitri approached. He urged residents not to rush out to buy beef, but wait for a program organized by his administration whereby residents will be offered meat at low prices.

Oloan Siregar, the economic assistant to the city secretary, said the administration would provide 38 tons of beef to sell in 32 subdistricts from Sept. 17 to 19.

"The meat will be sold at Rp 49,000 (US$4.90) a kilogram, because the city will provide a subsidy of Rp 5,000 per kilo," Fauzi said during the site visit to Cakung slaughterhouse, managed by PD Dharma Jaya.

The discounted beef sales would be carried out in areas mainly occupied by low-income families, Fauzi said.

"This will definitely not be carried out in Pondok Indah," Fauzi said jokingly.

Junara, a vendor at Jatinegara markets, said local beef was sold for Rp 65,000 per kilogram recently, up from Rp 60,000 before the fasting month.

Junara said he had to increase his prices because the prices were increased by his suppliers.

Meanwhile, the visit to Cipinang markets, dozens of vendors staged a peaceful protest in front of Fauzi just as he arrived at the rice market.

Among other things, the vendors protested the markets' limited accessibility, poor infrastructure and a recent increase to warehouse rent from Rp 23,500 to between Rp 30,000 and Rp 34,000 per square meter per month. Sjamsul Hilataha, the director of PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, said the market operators only opened the front entrance gates and closed the back gate to make it easier to control security at the markets.

"Every vehicle carrying rice that enters *the market* can be monitored," he said.

The company decided to raise the rent fees, which were still below the standard rent fees set by the State Logistics Agency, after maintaining the previous price for 10 years, he said.

Fauzi later told reporters that the administration would consider their protest.

"I clearly see that these facilities need to be upgraded. We will consider it," he said.

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