Kotabaru Offers Below-Market Food Prices to Support Purchasing Power
Kotabaru's Food Security and Agriculture Office (DKPP) joined partner agencies to sell staples at below-market prices as residents faced rising costs for daily necessities, Antara reported. The sale was part of the Gerakan Pangan Murah (GPM), a national affordable-food initiative.
Residents turn out for discounted staples
Hundreds of residents arrived at the food stands from the morning to buy rice, cooking oil, sugar, eggs and other foods. Antara described an orderly event that drew a positive response from the community.
Regional Secretary H. Eka Saprudin said the initiative was intended to support purchasing power, keep food supplies and prices stable, and help control local inflation. He emphasized that the government could not manage food prices alone.
"Synergy and collaboration like this need to be strengthened. Controlling and stabilizing food prices is not only the responsibility of government, but requires collaboration and good cooperation with all stakeholders," he said.
Supporters included the Cooperative, Industry, and Trade Office, Bulog, Bank BPR, Perwira and CV Mudahan Bauntung Group Kotabaru. Eka thanked the local government bodies, agencies, distributors and businesses that contributed. DKPP head Sarawani also expressed hope that the sale would ease the burden on residents: "Our hope is that this low price market helps the public," he said.
Local efforts to address prices and distribution
Kotabaru had already introduced other inflation-control measures earlier in the year. In August 2026, the district government launched the KEPO (Kebutuhan Pokok) app to publish staple-food prices from several traditional markets, according to Habari Aja.
The government also opened Kios Jukung Pangan, an outlet distributing rice, cooking oil, chili, eggs and other staples to coastal and waterside communities.
Distribution costs are a particular concern in the archipelago district. Local officials cited by Habari Aja said staples brought in from outside Kotabaru must cross water, adding freight and logistics expenses that could raise prices for consumers.
Habari Aja quoted Kotabaru Trade, Industry and Cooperatives Office head H. Muhammad Maulidiansyah as saying that inflation stood at 3.41% in July 2026. That represented an improvement from earlier readings of 5.25% and 6.46%, with the latter recorded in February.
A nationwide affordable-food program
Antara reported that Kotabaru participated in a simultaneous nationwide GPM under the direction of the National Food Agency (Bapanas), with locations linked through a national Zoom session.
According to Liputan6.com, the national event took place on October 22, 2026, covering 38 provinces and 514 regencies and cities. Bapanas organized it with regional governments, Perum Bulog and ID FOOD as part of World Food Day 2026.
Figures cited by Liputan6.com show that Indonesia recorded 11,349 GPM activities from January through October 2026: 127 at the central level, 2,071 at the provincial level, 8,710 at the regency and city level, and 441 with partners.