"The decision to import rice before the harvest time creates injustice, because it will harm local farmers," Hasan stated at the Parliament Building in Jakarta on Thursday.
He called on President Joko Widodo to prevent rice imports ahead of the harvest period, as it would be detrimental to local farmers, whose incomes are already limited.
According to him, if rice imports are done before the harvest, then the rice stock will increase sharply. This will result in drastic drop in rice price, resulting in loss for local farmers.
"I appeal to the president to avoid any incidental policies that could disrupt the main policy of the government," he noted.
On the occasion, he also reminded the government to be careful while making decisions about the provision of rice stock.
According to him, although the government is trying to reduce increase in rice price, it still can create new problems by importing rice.
Hasan pointed out that even if the government is forced to import, the rice should not be stored directly in Indonesia but in the country of origin, until the very precise time to bring it to Indonesia.
"This is in order to prevent farmers, who are in the harvest time, from being affected by the drop in rice prices," he pointed out.
(A014/INE)
(T.A014/A/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
