TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution, expressed his relief because staple food prices do not experience a significant increase during this year's Eid Al-Fitr. "Thank God the situation is good, price economy is well, there’s no significant [price] increase," Darmin said on Saturday, June 16, 2018.

Darmin admitted that egg prices are increasing prior to Eid Al-Fitr. However, according to his experiences, egg prices often lower at a fast pace. "Egg prices are quick to increase and quick to decrease," Darmin said. Meanwhile, price of chilli, shallot, and rice are currently under control.

Darmin also highlighted beef prices, which according to him, is well-controlled this year. "So, I think this year the people can have Eid Al-Fitr without being disturbed with prices, not like previously," Darmin said. "Now the people can be more at ease."

Darmin stated that the government is indeed quite focused on maintaining prices during Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr. On January, rice price has unfortunately increased. As a result, although the government attempted to control the price, the people are still unable to purchase rice at a normal price.

"But then again, rice prices are on its way down. So we believe it will continue to decrease, although maybe not by much," Darmin said.

The government has targeted the price for medium-quality rice to reach its highest retail level of IDR 10,400 per kilogram. "Maybe currently it is around IDR 10,000 to IDR 10,500, but previously it was IDR 12,000, even in January, it reaches IDR 13,000 per kilogram. So it is not bad," Darmin said.

CAESAR AKBAR