Medan outlines plan to deal with high food prices

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The Medan city administration plans to introduce a subsidy program to counter the impact of surging food prices ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan next month.

Food prices in the North Sumatra capital have increased by up to 80 percent, Governor Syamsul Arifin said during an inspection of traditional markets on Friday.

Syamsul said high food prices had hit residents hard but did not blame the traders, who also complained about high prices from suppliers.

"We will find a solution to deal with rising food prices immediately," Syamsul said at Petisah market.

He said the government has set up bazaars and market operation to bring down the prices.

"If these efforts can lower the food prices, there is no need for the subsidy program I discussed earlier," he said. - JP