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Jokowi to sort out beef with the mafia
The government suspects that organized crime played a part in the recent rise of the price of beef
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The government suspects that organized crime played a part in the recent rise of the price of beef.
The price of beef has soared to Rp 140,000 (US$10.30) per kilogram despite Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman's report that the country still has enough stock to last for four months.
'There are certain groups that deliberately hold on to the beef supply to raise the price; it is being investigated,' said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in Jakarta as reported on setkab.go.id on Monday.
Jokowi also reiterated the adequacy of current beef stock, expressing disapproval regarding the suspected involvement of the very same people who suffered when his administration decided to cut back on beef imports ' the mafia.
'My question is, should we import a large amount, will the price of beef decrease?' he said.
Last Monday, Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel was authorized to import 50,000 cows from Australia. The number is a significant decrease from last quarter's number of 270,000 cows. Such a huge reduction is said to have triggered the manipulation of beef prices by some people to force the government to increase its import amount.
'The limitation on beef imports set by the government has left the 'beef mafia' worried sick. They lost trillions in potential income due to the reduction, which forced them to manipulate the price. This is what the government should take caution on ' especially the Trade Ministry that has the authority over market price,' House Commission VI deputy chairman Heri Gunawan said on Monday as quoted by kompas.com.
Jokowi is not just standing by; he is on the hunt for the culprit, saying that there will be consequences for those trying to benefit from the people's suffering.
The President is keen to push down the price, saying that the government will lead an operation in the market to drive the price below Rp 90,000 at the highest. (rad/kes)(+++)
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