No Imports, Jokowi Orders Bulog To Absorb Rice From Farmers

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo will order the Logistics Agency (Bulog) as the food authority to absorb rice from local farmers.

"I make sure that the farmers' rice will be absorbed by Bulog and I will immediately order the Minister of Finance to help with the budget," Jokowi said in the Presidential Secretariat Youtube broadcast, Friday, March 26.

Jokowi understands that he has entered the harvest season. Unfortunately, the price of rice from the farmers' union has not been as expected. So, Jokowi asked all parties to end the polemic regarding the import of rice.

"I know that we are entering the harvest period and the rice price of the farmers' union is not as expected. Therefore, I ask to immediately stop the debate related to rice imports. This could actually make the selling price of grain at the farmer level drop or drop," said Jokowi.

He emphasized that for the next few months, the government will not import rice. "I assure you that until June 2021 no imported rice will enter our country, Indonesia. We know that it has been almost three years since these imports have imported rice," he said.

Jokowi admitted that the government had signed an agreement or MoU with Thailand and Vietnam. However, this does not mean that the government directly imports rice.

"Indeed, there is an MoU with Thailand and Vietnam, just in case, given the pandemic situation which is full of uncertainty. I emphasize once again that the rice has not yet entered," said Jokowi.

The polemic of importing 1 million tons of rice has been discussed since some time ago. Many parties refuse, even within the government there seems to be a difference in voice over the import plan for the government's rice reserve stock (CBP) at Perum Bulog.

The plan to import rice is supported by the Golkar Party. Meanwhile, the PDI-P refused. Then, the Indonesian Ombudsman said there was potential for maladministration in this rice import plan.

Initially, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government would import 1 million-1.5 million tons of rice in the near future. This is done to maintain domestic supply, so that prices remain under control.