GOVT TO STABILIZE SOARING GARLIC, ONION PRICES

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, March 14 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is now reviewing its regulations on import restriction of horticultural products in an effort to stabilize soaring garlic and onion prices in the domestic market.          "I appeal to the agriculture and trade ministers to meet as soon as possible to discuss the agriculture and trade ministers' regulations, particularly with regard to the importation of garlic and onion to increase supply in the local market," Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said at the Presidential Office, here, on Wednesday.          Inflation in February shot up to 0.75 percent -- the highest rate in the same month over the past ten years-- due to increase in the prices of food products.          Hatta said the time for import restriction on garlic was not correct now because farmers at home could only supply about 5 percent of the domestic need.           "It is quite unreasonable if garlic price contributed 0.17-021 percent of the inflation in February which was 0.75 percent. The minister of agriculture and the minister of trade should hold bilateral meetings to discuss and overcome this problem," Hatta said.          The result of the bilateral meeting should be taken to the coordinating minister for economic affairs to be discussed. The essence is that supply in domestic market must be met, according to Hatta.