Vento Saudale, Novi Lumanauw & Fana F.S. Putra – Prices for certain kinds of food have doubled five days into the Ramadan fasting month, prompting the president to scold his ministers for their failure in preventing the inflation.

One of the more significant increases has been the price of beef, which jumped from between Rp 50,000 and Rp 60,000 ($5 and $6) to Rp 110,000 and 120,000 per kilogram on Sunday.

Meanwhile, some traders have been selling chicken meat at Rp 45,000, up from Rp 25,000, and the price of chilli has risen to Rp 100,000 from Rp 50,000 per kilogram.

In several Bogor markets for instance, traders have complained that sales of beef have dropped by half because it has become difficult to make sales at such a high price.

"Rp 110,000 is the highest price I have ever sold since I started selling beef 10 years ago," said Syahroni, a beef seller at the city's Jambu Dua market on Sunday.

The Indonesian Merchants Association (Ikappi) also confirmed that in general the price of beef had increased by almost 40 percent to Rp 120,000 per kilogram, while chicken meat surged to Rp 42,000 from Rp 27,000 per kilogram per kilogram.

The price of shallots reached Rp 55,000 per kilogram, almost double the price a month earlier, Ikappi chairman Abdullah Mansuri said.

Prices for these vegetables and meat are expected to continue to rise throughout Ramadan. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Saturday that while it was understandable prices increased during Ramadan and ahead of Idul Fitri, the sharp increases – especially the price of beef – were unacceptable.

He said that ministers should have anticipated the price increase as it is a seasonal event, and he blamed Agriculture Minister Suswono, Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan and State Logistic Agency (Bulog) chief Sutarto Alimoeso for the government's slow action.

"I spoke with the Trade Minister yesterday, and he mentioned import permits for beef. But who issues the permit? It's us. It's not like we must ask for permits from New York or Geneva. We issue it ourselves. Don't let red tape bog down the process, and don't start a blame game," the president said after meeting with his ministers.

Yudhoyono urged his cabinet to closely monitor price movements in markets. "Have you seen the situation in the markets?" Yudhoyono asked the three officials. "Mr. Agriculture Minister, Mr. Bulog chief, Mr. Trade Minister, you must have a sense of crisis, a sense of urgency and a sense of responsibility."

Abdullah said the recent subsidized fuel price rise, the seasonal increase in demand during Ramadan and slow production due to bad weather all contributed to prices escalating out of control.

The Ikappi chairman added that the government must quickly increase food import quotas, monitor food distribution and sanction hoarders. "With demands surging there could be hoarding by businesses and middlemen," he added.