The government has tasked the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) with ensuring the stability of rice prices and supply of the commodity, he informed after visiting the Cipinang Rice Market (PIBC) with National Food Agency (Bapanas) head Arief Prasetyo Adi in East Jakarta on Wednesday.
"Rice prices have steadied and even risen in certain areas. As a result, the government stepped in. Bulog will supply as much rice as the community requires," said Hasan in a written statement issued in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to him, Bulog had 1.50 million tons of rice — 1.44 million tons of government rice reserves (CBP), and 55.74 thousand tons of commercial stock — as of September 12, 2023. More rice will be acquired to replenish CBP stocks.
"Regardless of market demand, the government is confident. Perhaps the impact will be less after a week. The community will pay Rp10,900 (around US$0.71) per kilogram for Bulog rice," the minister said.
Meanwhile, Bapanas head Adi said that 1 thousand to 3 thousand tons of rice has been delivered to PIBC and will be replenished once PIBC traders receive complete information on the derivatives market.
"If the derivative market lacks Bulog rice in the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program, please notify the government. Please ensure that SPHP rice costs Rp10,385 (around US$0.68) per kilogram in PIBC and no more than Rp10,900 in derivatives," he added.
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Earlier, he had emphasized that the government has continued to make efforts to conduct interventions in order to stabilize food prices and ensure that inflation remains under control.
He made the statement while accompanying President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for a review of the distribution of rice assistance in Cilegon, Banten, on Tuesday.
"Today, we are assisting the President to distribute rice assistance in Cilegon. This is one of our efforts to maintain people's purchasing power in order to control inflation," he said in an official statement received on Tuesday.
Adi explained that the rice assistance is targeted at people belonging to the low-income group. Meanwhile, for the community in general, the government is running the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program and the Cheap Food Movement, which are being intensified in all regions.
He further said that the distribution of SPHP rice, sold in 5-kg packaging, has been stepped up to ensure rice supply to both traditional markets and modern retailers to prevent a surge in rice prices.
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Translator: Maria C, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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