Coordinating Minister for the Economy Hatta Rajasa led a government team to Surabaya on Saturday to monitor prices of basic commodities in the country’s second largest city, kompas.com reported.
Hatta said the team, comprising five ministers and a deputy minister, would ensure there was no drastic surge in the prices ahead of Idul Fitri holiday, which is expected to fall on Sept. 10.
During his trip, the ministers also inspected preparedness of modes of transportation for the annual exodus of holiday makers, who will travel to their hometowns to celebrate Idul Fitri.
Hatta’s entourage included Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, State-owned Enterprises Minister Mustafa Abubakar, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, Energy Minister Darwin Zahedy Saleh and Deputy Agriculture Minister Bayu Krisnamurthi.
The inspection took place at Wonokromo traditional market, Tanjung Perak seaport and Pasar Turi railway station.
When visiting Wonokromo market to directly observe a market operation by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), Hatta was surprised by a finding that 40 percent of East Java population consumed premium rice, which costs between Rp 7,500 and Rp 8,000 per kilogram.
The government has been distributing cheap rice for the poor, which costs between Rp 5,700 and Rp 6,000 per kilogram.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|