Palu, C Sulawesi, Dec 11 (antarasulteng.com) - The government is optimistic that there would be no hoarding of stocks of basic necessities in Central Sulawesi ahead of Christmas 2015 and the New Year`s Day 2016, according to a local official.

"We hope no rogue actions would be taken by the distributors and retailers to hoard basic stocks of necessities ahead of Christmas and New Year`s Day," Central Sulawesi Trade and Industry Department Chief Almahdali remarked here on Friday.

He noted that the government will continue to remain vigilant against the possible hoarding of stocks of basic necessities and their scarcity in the market ahead of Christmas and New Year.

According to Almahdali, the prices of five commodities, such as eggs, butter, sugar, flour, and sweetened condensed milk have been subsidized, and therefore, the government is keeping a close watch on their scarcity in the market.

The prices of these commodities since the past two weeks have started to rise at the retail level, and therefore, the government will continue to take anticipatory measures to prevent the prices of basic items from increasing.

Almahdali emphasized that the Central Sulawesi provincial government, through the Department of Trade and Industry in all districts and cities, will continue to monitor and intervene in the market in case of price fluctuations.