With A Low Stock Of Masks, RNI Focuses On Distributing Masks Domestically

JAKARTA - PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia (RNI) will stop exporting masks, considering that currently the raw material stock for the production of masks is empty. The remaining stock of masks is only for domestic needs.

Director of RNI (Persero) Eko Taufik Wibowo said that currently his company does not produce masks because there are no raw materials. Eko said raw materials were imported from China, they could not get out.

"I can no longer export except for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Lastly, if I'm not mistaken in Hong Kong, our TKIs are there. We can't sell except for Kimia Farma, and for emergencies," he said, when met at the Ministry of BUMN, Gambir, Central Jakarta, Friday, March 6.

Eko said that the production for the needs of the pilgrims cannot be done. Supposedly, in March RNI will produce as many as 5-7 million masks.

However, unfortunately at this time raw materials cannot be imported from China. According to Eko, the existing masks are old stocks.

"Now there are 50 thousand, so they haven't had time to make them because of the raw materials from China. But because of the case (COVID-19), the raw materials cannot come out. Production needs for the 2020 haj, the raw materials have not been able to be endured," he said.

PT RNI, said Eko, is looking for state alternatives to import raw materials for making masks. One of the countries that can meet the raw material needs for making masks is Europe. However, there is no agreement with that country.

"I reported the Minister for European raw materials, but even Europe has yet to give an answer. He said at that time he was ready to send it, it has been almost a month the response will continue, although the risk is expensive. But until now the commitment has not been detailed," he explained.

"We have just been detected in France, but until now we have not given it. Maybe there are also many requests from other countries, or they protect the production," he continued.

Eko explained that PT RNI could not produce the main raw material for making masks by itself. However, the outer coating material of the makser or other components, there is no difficulty in obtaining it.

"The inner layer (mask), if the cloth is local, we can," he said.

PT RNI itself plans to target the production of one million masks if the raw materials from France arrive in Indonesia. "The target is one million masks in March, but it is a bit delayed. If we estimate it is fast, maybe a week will be ready or ready," he said.