Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) wants to see the prices of basic necessities to come down ahead of the Eid al-Fitr festivities this year.

The prices of beef and rice must decline, he said while opening a limited cabinet meeting here on Tuesday evening.

"I want the price of beef not to remain what it is now. It must come down to at least Rp80 thousand per kilogram," he said.

The price of rice must also come down, and must not rise again as had happened at the time of Eid al-Fitr festivities last year, he said.

"During the harvest time, the price of rice declines. We must bring about changes to keep low the prices of commodities which routinely increase every year," he said.

The head of state also wanted cooking oil to be sold at an affordable price.

"The availability of basic necessities, including rice, beef and frying oil, must be the center of our attention," he said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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