RI Cancels Rice Imports From India, Trade Minister Zulhas: We Have 1.6 Million Tons, No Need To Worry

JAKARTA - Trade Minister (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the import plan of 1 million tons of rice from India was canceled.

This additional rice import is planned to be used to secure domestic supplies.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that the cancellation of imports was in line with India's decision to ban its rice exports.

"Oh no. India is again banning rice exports. (Stok) we are safe, God willing. There are already 1.6 million tons in Bulog," he said after a meeting with Commission VI of the DPR, at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Monday, September 4.

Therefore, Zulhas asked the public not to panic and worry about rice stocks. This is because the government guarantees that the commodity stock is safe.

"Our rice is sufficient. We have 1.6 million tons, I need to explain this. No need to worry, no need to panic, we have enough rice. There are 1.6 million tons. Last year we were only 500,000 tons worried, but now there are 1.6 million tons," he explained.

In fact, said Zulhas, Indonesia will return to the arrival of 400.000 tons of imported rice. The arrival of this rice is part of the government's assignment.

As is known, this year the government imported 2 million tons of rice through an assignment to Perum Bulog. This rice was imported from two countries, namely Thailand and Vietnam.

"Maybe it will enter again up to 400,000 tons, this is for (anticipation) the impact of El Nino, this rice is staple food, so that there is no psychological effect, the stock is strengthened, the final decision is made by the President so that our stock can be 2 million. Now it's 1.6 million tons, so God willing, it's safe," he said.