Jakarta – On the margins of a working tour to Central Java province on Saturday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and First Lady Iriana Widodo evaluated the pricing of bulk cooking oil at Muntilan Market in Magelang district.
“How much is it (the bulk cooking oil), ma’am?” the President asked one of the market vendors, according to a press statement published by the Presidential Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau (BPMI) on Saturday.
“One liter (of bulk cooking oil) costs Rp14,500 (US$0.98), while one kilogram (kg) costs Rp15 thousand (US$1.01),” Titin Suryani, the merchant, explained.
The President and First Lady also purchased many spices and vegetables at the market, including hot chilies, onions, carrots, bitter melon, and turmeric. Widodo also inquired about vegetable costs.
He also bought some crackers and a weaved bamboo basket.
According to the press release, the basket seller, Almisih, expressed his delight that the President had purchased the handcraft.
“I was paid Rp100,000 (US$6.75), despite the fact that the price (of the basket) was only Rp15,000 (US$1.01),” the seller explained.
After viewing the market and welcoming traders and visitors, the President and First Lady handed out aid directly to recipients.
They were accompanied by Tri Rismaharini, Minister of Social Affairs, and Ganjar Pranowo, Governor of Central Java.
Previously, the price of cooking oil had risen due to growing worldwide palm oil costs.
In response, on March 17, 2022, the government established the price of bulk cooking oil at Rp14 thousand per liter, or Rp15,500 per kilogram (kg).
However, because the commodity’s stockpiles were judged to be insufficient, the government banned the export of cooking oil and its raw ingredients on April 28.
Given the recent trend in cooking oil prices and stockpiles, as well as the welfare of the 17-million palm oil industry workers, the President declared on May 20 that the ban will be lifted on May 23.
