Bulog Boss Ensures HET Of SPHP Rice Does Not Increase Still IDR 12,500 Per Kg

Perum Bulog ensures that the Highest Retail Price (HET) of the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program remains at the level of IDR 12,500 per kilogram (kg), even though the HET of medium rice increases.

President Director of Perum Bulog, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, said that initially the National Food Agency (Bapanas) suggested that there be an increase in the HET of SPHP rice.

However, continued Rizal, in a coordination meeting (rakor) with the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs, it was decided that the HET of SPHP rice would not be increased.

Rizal also ensured that Perum Bulog would continue to sell SPHP rice at a price of Rp. 12,500 per kg.

"Still IDR 12,500 per kg, it should not be increased," said Rizal after a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta office, Monday, August 1.

Rizal said that currently people's purchasing power is weakening. So, not raising the HET of SPHP rice is a wise decision to make people calm.

"Because the community is already in trouble now, don't raise it again. So that people are calm," he said.

Previously, the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi admitted that he proposed an increase in the highest retail price (HET) for Bulog's SPHP rice. However, the proposal was rejected in a coordination meeting (Rakor) with the Coordinating Ministry for Food Affairs.

Arief explained that the proposed HET increase in SPHP rice was IDR 1,000 per kilogram (kg), from the initial IDR 12,500 per kg to IDR 13,500 per kg.

Furthermore, Arief said the proposal was submitted in view of the purchase price of the government (HPP) of harvested dry grain (GKP) which had increased to Rp6,500 per kg.

"So I propose that if the GKP (dry rice harvest) increases from Rp6,000 to Rp6,500 per kg, then the Bulog rice released prices should also be increased. Well, the results of the coordination meeting (limited coordination meeting) said 'Mr. Arief doesn't have to'. So there is no increase for all Bulog rice,' said Arief after a coordination meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Monday, August 1.

Arief said, Perum Bulog bought rice at an expensive price, then sold it at a low price. Of course, said Arief, it will affect the subsidies issued by the government.

"So Bulog buys it expensive, sells it cheaply. Whatever the figure, it will affect the subsidies issued by the government. If the government is in a coordination meeting, the Ministry of Finance agrees, that's okay," said Arief.

Although the price of SPHP rice did not increase, Arief said the government set the HET of medium rice (non-SPHP) to increase to Rp13,500 per kg from Rp12,500 per kg.

Arief said the increase in the HET of medium rice could not be avoided. Because, it is no longer possible when the GKP HPP rises to Rp6,500 per kg.

"Because it is not possible with a GKP price of Rp. 6,500, especially as today there are already more than Rp. 7,000, the medium price is Rp. 12,500. So the government adjusted it to Rp. 13,500," said Arief.