Lombok Zone – As the holy month of Ramadan approaches, the Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Dr. H. Lalu Muhamad Iqbal, is taking proactive measures to ensure that essential goods remain affordable and that the food supply is stable. His efforts were evident during a working visit and community engagement on February 26, 2026, in West Lombok.
During his visit to Gerung Market, the Governor, affectionately known as Miq Iqbal, engaged with local vendors and shoppers while closely monitoring the prices of basic commodities. He noted that inflation in certain areas was largely driven by spikes in chili prices across three districts: East Lombok, Central Lombok, and West Lombok.
“Inflation has risen due to increasing chili prices in these regions. Interestingly, even within a single market, price discrepancies can occur. I have spoken with enumerators to ensure they record the lowest prices available,” the Governor stated.
He clarified that the prices for meat generally remained in line with reference prices, although there was a slight increase in chicken prices due to rising costs at the supplier level.
“Fortunately, the prices for meat are still consistent with reference points. Chicken prices have seen a minor increase due to the rising cost of live chickens. We will coordinate with suppliers and relevant parties to ensure smooth distribution,” he emphasized.
The Governor also reassured the public that prices for cooking oil, rice, and onions remain under control. However, the price increases for chili are affected by seasonal factors and unpredictable weather conditions, leading to crop failures in several areas.
“Chili is not a commodity that can be directly intervened with like rice, cooking oil, and sugar. Its price mechanism is heavily influenced by supply and demand, especially since many farmers are facing crop failures due to weather challenges,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, the provincial government continues to work on stabilizing the market. They are encouraging distributors and business operators to source supplies from outside the region and are providing subsidies for transportation costs.
“We have urged distributors from Central Lombok and East Lombok to procure supplies from other areas. We are even offering free transportation support for trucks moving goods from Java to NTB through the Food Agency, aiming to keep prices accessible for the community,” the Governor added.
To further assist residents, the NTB Provincial Government is organizing affordable basic goods markets at various locations throughout Ramadan.
“Our goal is to ensure that the community can observe Ramadan peacefully, without worrying about rising prices for essential items,” concluded the Governor.
The NTB Provincial Government will continue to monitor price developments and take swift, measured actions to maintain the stability of supply and price affordability for all residents.
