Rice Food Assistance Associated With Political Agenda, Bulog Boss: Free From Any Interest

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi opens his voice about food assistance in the form of rice from Bulog is often associated with the political agenda.

He stressed that this food aid is an alternative to reduce the pressure of price fluctuations as a result of the El Nino disaster.

For your information, the government through the National Food Agency has assigned Perum Bulog to distribute food assistance in the form of 10 kilograms (kg) of rice for 22 beneficiary families (KPM).

"The distribution of Rice Food Aid which is currently being distributed by Bulog is free from any lightning," he said in an official statement, Friday, February 2.

Bayu said the issue of food assistance, which is often associated with this political agenda, would be a special concern for his party.

"We observe that the Food Aid that is being distributed is often associated with certain political agendas, one of which is the General Election which is currently in sight. This is a special concern for Bulog," he said.

Even so, Bayu said Bulog would consistently carry out activities to distribute Food Aid according to the provisions. That way, the purpose of this program is expressed to help people in need to run well.

"And also as an alternative to the government to reduce the pressure of price fluctuations as a result of the Elnino disaster that hit the whole world," said Bayu.

Similarly, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi stated that the implementation of this Food Aid had nothing to do with any interests and agendas.

Arief emphasized that the implementation of the Food Aid that had been running from last year will continue to be carried out on the basis of government concern for people who need assistance.

The implementation of Food Assistance assigned by the President to us and Bulog will be carried out until June. So the implementation is not due to January, February and March, for example, it is said because it is ahead of the election. No, it's not like that," said Arief.

"Even this Food Aid from last year has been implemented, and this will continue to be done considering that our 22 million KPM brothers and sisters are in dire need," he continued.

Previously, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) openly also said that programs aimed at improving community welfare such as Food Assistance are the priority of the current government.

Jokowi emphasized that the distribution of food aid rice is one of the government's efforts to improve the welfare of the community considering that the world is currently being hit by a food crisis.

Therefore, Bulog provides assistance to the community by distributing good quality rice to 22 million KPM throughout Indonesia.

"Currently all countries are being hit by a long dry season, and this makes these countries hold back for their own country's needs. Because the supply is limited, this is what makes rice prices rise. This Food aid is channeled to protect the public from the food crisis earlier. And we have budgeted it to be implemented until June," said Jokowi.