The Papua Provincial Government will crack down firmly on fraudulent traders in its territory, raising the price of basic necessities beyond the normal threshold or fairness ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2021.
According to the Assistant Regional Secretary of Papua for Economy and People's Welfare, Muhammad Musa'ad, his party has even encouraged the establishment of a team of the Papua Provincial Food Task Force, which is tasked with overseeing the stock of foodstuffs in the region.
"So that if we find indications of price games, we can process (the law) through rogue traders through the food task force," said Musa'ad, in Jayapura, Tuesday (27/4/2021).
He also made sure to immediately hold market operations, a week ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2021, in order to maintain the availability of food stocks and price stability.
"But surely we have had a meeting with the relevant agencies to ensure the availability of goods and price stability ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2021".
"There has been an increase in a number of commodities at the beginning of Ramadhan, but we have been coordinating to ensure stocks are safe and food prices are under control to date," he said.
Musa'ad added, during the current COVID-19 pandemic, the traders are strictly prohibited from raising the price of goods above the highest retail price that has been declared by the government.
Because of this, it will be very burdensome for people who are at this time also temporarily depressed due to the pandemic.
"That's why we encourage the Papua Provincial Food Task Force to immediately conduct a surprise inspection to food distributors to check the stock of foodstuffs and commodity materials ahead of Eid al-Fitr"
"The point is we want to assure the public that the availability and stability of food prices and commodity materials in the market is safe," he concluded.