TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo urged several ministers to take steps to lower the prices of chicken and beef. Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung said that the President begins to show concern over the price increase of both commodities.
"[The issue] has become a major concern and must be dealt with immediately. The President has instructed us to consolidate, specifically the Agriculture Minister, Trade Minister, and Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, so that prices can be normalized," Pramono said in Jakarta on Wednesday, January 27, 2016.
Pramono said that the President has began to show concern because current prices of chicken and beef is actually higher compared to the Eid al-Fitr Period. Currently, beef are sold at Rp. 121,000 per kilogram while chicken are being sold at Rp. 35,000 per kilogram.
According to Pramono, the government is currently trying to find the main cause of the price increase while at the same time, trying to find a solution to the problem. "Is it because of the 10 percent value-added tax for food products, or something else," Pramono said.
Pramono asserted that in addition to 10 percent value-added tax, another possible cause of the price increase is related to the meat cartel. Pramono said that the President's attempt to eradicate meat cartel practices has resulted in certain reactions.
ANANDA TERESIA
