Speaking at a limited coordination meeting in Jakarta on Monday, Sulaiman highlighted that the president's directive was made in preparation for the forthcoming Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr period, during which Indonesia often saw a rise in consumption of food products.
To this end, the minister emphasized the importance of collaboration among all relevant stakeholders to maintain the public's affordability of staple goods, particularly rice.
Given the projected increase in production and the nearly two million tons stored by state-run logistics company Bulog, he asserted there would be no justification for rising rice prices.
While Sulaiman did not specify all nine commodities, it is generally acknowledged that rice, corn, sugar, chicken eggs, beef, cooking oil, and chilies are vital for public consumption in Indonesia.
Representatives of Bulog, the National Food Agency (Bapanas), the Home Affairs Ministry, the Trade Ministry, Statistics Indonesia (BPS), various state-owned food enterprises, and other relevant stakeholders participated in the coordination meeting.
On February 4, Bapanas Head Arief Prasetyo Adi assured the public that the government has effectively managed stocks of 12 essential food commodities as the 2025 Ramadan month approaches.
While addressing Commission IV of the House of Representatives (DPR) in Jakarta, he noted that the government had taken various measures, including bolstering its food reserves, to maintain its grip on commodity prices and availability.
He noted that Bulog manages 1.9 million tons of the government's rice stored across Indonesia. This rice reserve can be utilized for the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program to help regions stabilize the prices of the commodity.
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Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Primayanti
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