At the parliament complex in Jakarta on Wednesday, the minister explained that the government has prepared a stock of 1.3 million tons of SPHP rice for large-scale market operations to maintain price stability and ensure affordable food availability for the public.
He also emphasized that the distribution is not only SPHP rice but also premium rice will continue to be promoted so that the public continues to have alternative choices at more stable prices.
"SPHP and we've asked (Bulog) to also distribute premium rice," Sulaiman said.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized that there is no rice shortage in Indonesia, only a shift in distribution from small millers that typically supply modern retailers to traditional markets.
According to him, this situation has even had a positive impact on traditional markets which have seen increased turnover, so the public need not worry because rice remains abundant and national production is maintained.
He emphasized that a shortage can only be considered a problem if rice production decreases, while currently production remains stable, and important indicators such as inflation and food availability show good conditions.
Meanwhile, based on data from the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Price Panel, on Wednesday, the national price of premium rice reached Rp16,081 per kg, down from Rp16,208 per kg.
Medium rice is priced at Rp13,954 per kg, down from Rp14,049 per kg on the previous day; and SPHP rice is at Rp12,572 per kg, down from Rp12,586 per kg.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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