South Lampung, Sept. 11 -- The Indonesian government is preparing a series of policies to protect public purchasing power and maintain food price stability amid a dry season that could increase prices of basic necessities.

Such anticipatory measures were taken since the dry season has begun to impact the price trends of several staple goods, Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs Zulkifli Hasan said.

"Prices have started to creep up. Therefore, the government is taking steps to address this situation," he noted during his visit to Village Cooperative in Pisang Village, South Lampung District on Friday.

He noted that one measure is to complete the distribution of rice aid to beneficiaries for the July-September period.

The aid consists...