People Complain About Physical Gold Scarcity, Antam Boss Says Only Able To Distribution 30 Percent

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (ANTM) Achmad Ardianto opened his voice regarding the reasons for Antam's scarcity of physical gold supply experienced by the community.

This stems from the question of a member of Commission VI DPR RI, Kawendra Lukistian who asked for openness regarding Antam's physical gold stock which can be distributed to customers.

He said the physical gold circulating in the market is currently only 20 percent amid high demand from the public.

Didi, Ardianto's nickname, explained that Antam's gold stock really depends on the orders made by customers, including wholesalers.

"I can say our stock really depends on the order. We don't have enough inventory actually," he said at a Hearing Meeting with Commission VI DR RI, Monday, September 29.

Didi explained, in selling his products, Antam relies on wholesalers as partners.

Thus, as much as 70 percent of the gold antam is marketed to gold shops through wholesalers.

"Wholesaler is what helps Antam sell to gold shops, people, why do they get it? Because they have money. They bought it to Antam, then Antam made it. So this is like back-to-back. Antam made it, leave it to him," explained Didi.

He further said that 30 percent of the remaining gold was then distributed to Antam's gold boutique which was spread throughout Indonesia. According to him, currently Antam has 15 boutiques that will market the remaining gold to the public.

"The stock controlled by Antam is 30 percent and we will directly distribute it to boutiques throughout Indonesia. There are 15 boutiques in Indonesia. There are a lot of public interest," he said.

According to him, Antam has limited capital so that it only distributes 30 percent, while 70 percent is channeled through partners who have large capital.

Didi also dismissed accusations that Antam played a game to increase the price of gold and then released the gold supply to the market.

He reasoned that this would not benefit the company because Antam could not predict the price of gold in society.

"If we buy it and then save it, it's not profitable for Antam because we can't predict the price of gold. We want us to be able to go straight to the field," explained Didi.

Menurutnya, Antam juga menghadapi kendala di sisi bahan baku. Apalagi, lanjut dia, beberapa bulan terakhir Antam tidak bisa melakukan impor bahan baku sehingga distribusi tidak bisa dilakukan dengan cepat.

"Beberapa bulan terakhir kami tidak bisa impor, sementara dari dalam negeri juga tidak ada yang mau jual. Jadi bahan baku memang susah. Kalau bahan baku bisa kami amankan, distribusi bisa lebih cepat," tandas dia.

According to him, Antam also faces obstacles on the side of raw materials. Moreover, he continued, in the last few months Antam could not import raw materials so that distribution could not be done quickly.

"In the last few months, we have not been able to import, while from within the country no one wants to sell. So raw materials are difficult. If we can secure raw materials, distribution can be faster," he said.