Heaptalk, Jakarta — Governor of North Kalimantan (Kaltara) Zainal A. Paliwang carried out an impromptu inspection at the Pasar Induk, Tanjung Selor. Through this visit, the Governor directly monitors the price and supply of several commodities, such as rice, sugar, cooking oil, and others, to reduce inflation.
“Indeed, some commodities are rising, some are falling, while others are still stable prices. We are trying always to suppress inflation in North Kalimantan,” Zainal said.
During his visit, Governor Zainal also took time to interact and listen to the traders’ and people who shopped at the market. North Kalimantan is currently included among the top 10 provinces that have succeeded in reducing inflation in Indonesia. Inflation in North Kalimantan Province is the lowest on Kalimantan Island.
Initiating cheap kiosks
According to him, to ensure the supply of goods is safe, available, and controlled, the North Kalimantan Provincial Government will always coordinate with transportation fleets, ASDP, Pelni, and sea transportation owners. He voiced, “We also always coordinate to ensure that the entry of basic materials in North Kalimantan is not hampered.”
In his instructions, Zainal asked all parties, including the Regional Inflation Control Team (TPID) and Disperindagkop, to constantly monitor the availability and price of commodity supplies on the market. Currently, North Kalimantan Province continuously strives to reduce inflation through cheap TPID kiosks or shops in the market. “The TPID kiosk is one of our efforts to reduce inflation, primarily rice, sugar, and cooking oil. The prices here are far from those in the market, facilitating people to buy their needs at affordable prices,” he explained.
Collaborating with Bulog
The inflation rate in North Kalimantan Province in April 2024 is 2.47%. “We hold an inflation coordination meeting weekly, chaired directly by the Home Affairs Minister. We always follow the directions given,” Zainal revealed.
In addition, the North Kalimantan Provincial Government is also collaborating with several related parties, such as Bulog, to promote the Cheap Food Movement. Even though the price of sugar and onions is rising, the governor remains optimistic that relevant regional officials will continue to innovate. “We are preparing kiosk containers with Bulog to provide cheap and affordable rice there, to subside what was previously rising slowly,” he said.
Furthermore, the Provincial Government plans to set up kiosks in several locations, mainly those easily accessible to the public, such as the primary market and other market centers, to prevent the price of rice from rising. “We are also maximizing effective information communication between districts/cities, from province to district/city as well, districts between cities so that we can suppress inflation more effectively,” he concluded.
