The provincial government of Jakarta is providing subsidized food packages at an affordable price for as many as 1.1 million low-income people in the capital city.

Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan stated that the subsidized food packages are distributed at 312 points in Jakarta.

“The package consists of rice, cow meat, chicken eggs, fish and milk. If the community buys it outside (Jakarta), the price is Rp402 thousand,” he said here on Thursday.

Baswedan explained that with the subsidy provided by the Jakarta government, residents could purchase food packages at only Rp126 thousand.

Thus, each package has been subsidized by up to Rp276 thousand, or 69 percent, he added.

According to the governor, the subsidized food packages are expected to ease the burden of the community affected by the diversion of fuel subsidies.

“It is hoped that this program can help ease the burden of the community during these weeks, as the community is experiencing large economic pressures,” he remarked.

He further said that the Jakarta government is also cooperating with three Jakarta-owned enterprises (BUMDs) in food management efforts in Jakarta, such as Dharma Jaya, Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, and Pasar Jaya.

“These three have succeeded in ensuring that prices of staple goods in Jakarta are not only stable, but relatively cheaper compared to other areas around Jakarta,” he said.

Earlier, the Indonesian government, on Saturday, September 3, raised the price of subsidized Pertalite fuel from Rp7,650 per liter to Rp10 thousand per liter; subsidized diesel, from Rp5,150 per liter to Rp6,800 per liter; and non-subsidized Pertamax, from Rp12,500 to Rp14,500 per liter.

This increase was enacted after the government shifted the fuel subsidies to social assistance, since the number of energy subsidies and compensation taken from the state budget had reached Rp502.4 trillion, including energy subsidies of Rp208.9 trillion and energy compensation of Rp293.5 trillion.

Source: Antara News