"Already, (imported rice shipments have entered) not only Jakarta but also several seaports," Vice President Jusuf M. Kalla stated here, Wednesday.
The rice imports are necessary as drought has delayed paddy harvests in some regions, he noted.
"The most important aspect is that the government has provided adequate (rice) stocks nationally, including from imports. It is alright," he added.
The drought from August to November 2015 has triggered harvest failures and has reduced rice stocks.
"This decision has been taken for the sake of the people and not to protect a particular individuals image, no. It is to prevent the rice prices from increasing," Kalla explained.
On Nov. 4, some 4.8 thousand tons of rice imported from Vietnam arrived in Manado, North Sulawesi Province.
Some three thousand tons of imported rice from Vietnam was also expected to arrive in Merauke, Papua, on Nov. 8, 2015.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
