Cheap Market is Here Again! Residents can freely come to any location

Head of the Bandung City Trade and Industry Service (Disdagin), Elly Wasliah, said that this time the Cheap Market locations are in Regol, Panyileukan and Mandalajati Districts, Wednesday 6 December 2023.

"We provide SPHP medium rice, in collaboration with Bulog, amounting to 10 tonnes. In other sub-districts it is 5 tonnes, but in Regol Sub-district the quota is higher because the response from residents here is usually busier," said Elly.

Even so, there are no restrictions if residents from other areas want to buy their basic needs at any Murah Market. This is different from Market Operations.

"Market operations are limited to only one or two commodities, for example rice or oil. So only residents of that area are allowed to buy," he said.

Some of the commodities sold include medium and premium rice, bulk and premium oil, eggs, kitchen spices such as onions, garlic, chilies, and other household necessities.

"Restricted rice, per person can only buy two bags. One bag contains 5 kg of rice, sold for IDR 53,000, so it falls to IDR 10,600/kg. In the market, the price of medium rice is already around IDR 13,000/kg. kg," he said.

Meanwhile, bulk oil is sold for IDR 13,500 per liter. There are also eggs sold cheaply by retail shops in the range of IDR 25,800 - IDR 26,000/kg. Meanwhile in the market, the price of eggs has reached IDR 29,000/kg. Various other commodities such as sugar are also sold cheaper.

"We ask the retail figures who sell at the Murah Market to provide prices that are cheaper than the prices in their shops. The retail stores that participate are Superindo, Prama and Wilmar," he said.

Apart from that, Pasar Murah also provides 3 kg gas which can only be purchased if you include your KTP according to each sub-district. The price for 3 kg of gas is IDR 16,600. Meanwhile, on the market it reaches IDR 21,000 - IDR 22,000.

"For 3 kilos of LPG gas, the only thing you have to use is an ID card, for the others you don't. Because this uses subsidies," explained Elly.

To date, 24 sub-districts in the city of Bandung have held cheap markets. The highest turnover was achieved by Kiaracondong District, namely IDR 127 million.

"Now this is the 8th day of the Murah Market. There are still 2 days left, Thursday and Friday. So there are 6 more sub-districts that have not implemented the Murah Market," he said.

Elly admitted that stocks of rice and other basic commodities ahead of Christmas in Bandung City were still safely available.

"Around 60 percent of Bandung City residents are in the market segment for premium rice, while 40 percent are for medium rice. Everything is in safe condition. Including other commodities, although there has been a price increase," he said.

The price increase occurred in the commodities of lamb cayenne pepper and Tanjung red chili. Although the price of lamb cayenne pepper is high, it has shown a downward trend. Initially it touched IDR 100,000 - IDR 120,000/kg, now it is around IDR 90,000/kg.

"Cape red chilies are around Rp. 80,000 - Rp. 90,000/kg. This happens because of the impact of unclear weather. Yesterday we were affected by the El Nino drought, now it continues to rain. So in the central areas we are also very dependent," he explained.

The city of Bandung usually gets its supply of Tanjung red chilies from Banyuwangi, East Java. Meanwhile, lamb cayenne pepper is from Magelang, Central Java.

"But we also get supplies from neighbors, such as Bandung Regency, West Bandung Regency and Garut. Most of it comes from Central Java and East Java," he added.

Meanwhile, Teti Herawati, a resident of Regol District who was queuing for medium rice, said that she had been coming since 07.30 WIB at the Murah Market.

"As soon as I arrived, there were already many people queuing. This means there were already people queuing before. The price for rice was IDR 53,000 for 5 kg. I bought 10 kg," said Teti.

He hopes that the Cheap Market can be held as often as possible. Because it really helps the needs of his large family.

"I feel very helped. There are 9 people living in my house. Hopefully there can be frequent Murah Markets. So that people like me or those under me will be really helped," he said.

Similar to Teti, another Regol resident, Yeti, admitted that he could buy many basic necessities at low prices at the Cheap Market.

"There are oil, vegetables and 3 kg of gas too. The price is cheaper than the market. At that market, rice costs up to IDR 15,000/kg. Yesterday I bought it, but the rice was bad. If you cook it in the morning, by the afternoon it's already yellow, not delicious," I'm Yeti.

He said that the existence of this cheap market really helps his family in meeting their daily needs.

"It's very helpful. Moreover, there are 5 people in the house. This price means you can buy lots of cooking ingredients," he said. (din)**

Head of the Bandung City Communication and Information Office

 

Yayan A. Brilyana