Facing Soaring Food Prices, Government Prepares Social Assistance and Market Operations

Pekanbaru, wapresri.go.id – The impact of the global crisis was felt in all countries, including Indonesia. One of the basic things felt by the community as a result of this crisis is the increase in food prices. Therefore, the government has prepared countermeasures to deal with this impact.

“The government has prepared for social assistance to continue to be rolled out, for market operations are also prepared. Our social assistance will continue to be broadened in scope in order to deal with the impact of the global crisis,” said Vice President (VP) K.H. Ma’ruf Amin in his press statement after visiting palm-based Santripreneur activities at the Riau Technology Islamic Boarding School (Ponpes), Jl. Lintas Sumatra Number 20, Pekanbaru, Riau.

Furthermore, the VP said that the crisis situation that occurred at the global level was constantly evolving and all countries were currently thinking about how to handle the situation. Therefore, he hopes that the impact currently being felt in Indonesia is temporary and will change for the better as the situation develops.

“Because there must be an impact, so hopefully the increase will be temporary, only temporary, hopefully,” said the VP.

On the same occasion, the VP emphasized that Indonesia is on the right track. This can be seen from the fairly good economic growth compared to other countries in the midst of the crisis.

“But Indonesia is quite good, Alhamdulillah. First, our [economic] growth is above 5 [percent], that’s our growth. Then also our inflation is relatively low compared to other countries. Then, our export trade surplus, and we are strong enough to face it compared to other countries,” said the VP.

Meanwhile, regarding the increase in the price of fuel oil (BBM), the VP also revealed that the government is discussing options that can be taken to overcome this issue. In the future, it is hoped that the decisions taken will be beneficial for all elements of the nation.

“Currently, there are several options being considered, whether to increase prices, limit or increase subsidies, these are the options,” explained the VP.

“These are the options that the government is currently discussing. That’s all, hopefully, later there will be the best solution for the community, and for the government, for the nation, and for the country,” he concluded. (NN/LHS, BPMI – Setwapres)