TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) on Sunday strongly urged the government to take fundamental steps in controlling the prices of staple foods following the constant price increases on basic commodities amidst the growing prices of fuel.

“We urge the government to issue a fundamental policy for the interest of the majority,” said PBNU chairperson of the economy and environment Aizuddin Abdurrahman in his written statement on June 19.

According to the organization's records, prices of nine staple foods have increased three folds ahead of the rise of fuel prices, after the fuel prices actually rise, and ahead of the 2022 Ramadan month.

In this difficult situation, said Abdurrahman, a government breakthrough is needed apart from issuing ‘market operations’ which is deemed less effective in many cases. Apart from being temporary in nature, market operations only reach a small segment of society and fail to suppress the price increases.

"We respectfully and sincerely ask the government to issue a principled policy to control the increase in basic prices completely to lighten the burden and increase people's purchasing power. Not temporary policies, including so that inflation does not occur," he added.

MUTIA YUANTISYA

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