Even without Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Dahlan Iskan visiting markets as in Jakarta, thousands of residents still flocked to the discount market organized by the State-Owned Enterprises Communication Forum (FORKOM BUMN) in West Kalimantan (Kalbar).
One of these discount markets was held in Pontianak Kota District, centered at Sungai Bangkong Village, on Wednesday (25/4). Housewives patiently lined up in an orderly manner to purchase affordable staple goods.
The discount market was conducted in 14 districts/cities across West Kalimantan on April 24, 25, 26, 28, and May 1, 2012. The BUMN Peduli 2012 Discount Market prepared 386.4 tons of rice, 48.3 tons of cooking oil, 48.3 tons of sugar. 48,300 packs of tea bags
These items were packaged into 48,300 bazaar packages, each consisting of 8 kg of rice, 1 kg of sugar, 1 kg of cooking oil. 1 box of tea bags
Each package was sold at only Rp30,000, the same price as in Jakarta and other cities. This program subsidized 70% of the market price for 48,400 underprivileged families.
Sony from Perum Jamkrindo stated that 2,500 packages were allocated for Pontianak Kota District, each sold for Rp30,000.
“For the residents of Pontianak Kota District, we are distributing the packages at Sungai Bangkong Village. This district consists of five villages, and we have distributed 2,500 coupons, with each village receiving 500 coupons,” he told Equator on Wednesday (25/4).
The coupons were specifically distributed to those in need, ensuring the aid reached the right people.
"The procedure involves the district office distributing coupons to the village offices, which then forward them to the neighborhood heads (RT). Residents who receive a coupon exchange it with the staff and receive the goods after payment," he explained.
The BUMN Peduli program was originally intended to help mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices, which were ultimately not increased. However, since the program was already scheduled, it was still carried out.
At the same event, Sri Damayanti from Bulog expressed hope that this discount market would ease the burden on low-income communities, as it is part of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) programs.
"We hope this initiative reaches the right people and helps ease their burden, especially given the unstable market prices," she said.
One resident, Ramlah, expressed gratitude for the BUMN discount market, as the prices were much lower than regular market prices.
“The prices at the market remain high even though fuel prices did not increase. Rice now costs Rp10,000 per kg, and cooking oil is around Rp12,000 per kg. If possible, discount markets like this should be held more frequently,” said Ramlah from Gang Nurcahaya.