Government Will Provide Food Social Assistance Ahead of Ramadan and Idul Fitri

CNN Indonesia

Monday, 06 Mar 2023 08:04 WIB

Jakarta, CNNIndonesia —

The government immediately provides social assistance (social assistance) in the form of food commodities ahead of Ramadan and Idul Fitri this year.

The Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said the food assistance would be provided for three months in the form of rice, eggs and chicken meat.

“The government yesterday decided that the government would provide rice assistance for three months, as well as eggs and chicken assistance,” he said at the 2023 National Food Inflation Control Movement (GNPIP) virtual Kick Off event, Sunday (5/3).

According to Airlangga, this social assistance needs to be provided to reduce inflation which is triggered by rising food prices ahead of religious holidays. Currently the regulations are being drafted by the government.

“This regulation is being regulated, it will be given in three months, especially to villages that have received PKH (Family Hope Program) and non-cash food assistance,” said Airlangga.

He hopes that this food assistance can be immediately distributed to the community in March, April and May 2023.

The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) recorded inflation in February 2023 of 5.47 percent (year on year/yoy). The food, beverage and tobacco group, which experienced inflation of 7.23 percent, was the biggest contributor to inflation with a share of 1.87 percent.

The five dominant commodities contributing to inflation on an annual basis were rice by 0.32 percent, filter clove cigarettes by 0.20 percent, and purebred chicken eggs by 0.15 percent. Then fresh fish and red chili each by 0.11 percent.

Meanwhile, the commodities that contributed to monthly inflation (mtm) were rice by 0.8 percent, filter clove cigarettes by 0.04 percent, shallots by 0.03 percent, red chilies by 0.02 percent. Then white cigarettes, garlic and potatoes each 0.01 percent.

While other groups that also experienced inflation were clothing and footwear by 1.18 percent, housing, water, electricity and household fuel 3.43 percent, equipment, tools and routine household maintenance 4.02 percent.

Then health 2.94 percent, sports recreation and culture 2.6 percent, education 2.76 percent, provision of food and drink or restaurants 4.08 percent, and personal care and other services 5.63 percent.

(mrh/dzu)