Crowded On Social Media, Deputy Minister Sudaryono Explains Sumatran Rice Assistance Is Not IDR 60 Thousand Per Kg

JAKARTA Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono straightened out information that went viral on social media regarding rice food assistance for flood and landslide victims in Sumatra which was said to be worth Rp. 60,000 per kilogram (kg).

Sudaryono emphasized that the value of Rp. 60,000 was not for 1 kg of rice, but for one pack (pack) containing 5 kg.

"I want to explain, that was what was crowded on social media. He said the calculation of the Ministry of Agriculture was one kilo of rice Rp. 60 thousand, right? That's wrong, typo, but the calculation is not wrong. Not one kilo of Rp. 60 thousand, but one pack of five kilos," said Sudaryono during an activity commemorating World Anti-Corruption Day within the Ministry of Agriculture in Jakarta, Wednesday, December 10.

He added that it is impossible for the government to distribute only 1 kilogram of aid, because the standard for aid packaging is 5 kilograms per beneficiary, especially for residents affected by floods and landslides.

"It's impossible for us to give 1 kilogram of assistance. We will definitely give him a package of 5 kilograms at a price of Rp. 60 thousand. So one kilo is Rp. 12,500," he said.

Thus, the value of the aid budget remains in accordance with the provisions and does not harm the community. Sudaryono emphasized that the errors that occurred were only in the writing of the unit, while the substance of the assistance and distribution mechanisms continued to follow the official government regulations.

He also explained that rice in retail packaging is generally sold in the size of 5 kilograms. Meanwhile, smaller sizes are usually sold in bulk through weighing in retailers.

The Ministry of Agriculture hopes that this clarification can clarify the food aid scheme, strengthen public trust, and support disaster management in a transparent and accountable manner in Sumatra.

Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture invited the public to participate in supervising the distribution of 1,200 tons of rice aid for disaster victims so that distribution runs transparently and on target.

"Until now, the government has distributed 1,200 tons of rice aid worth Rp. 16 billion to accelerate the fulfillment of the needs of the affected communities," said Head of the Ministry of Agriculture's Communication and Information Service Bureau, Moch. Arief Cahyono, in a statement in Jakarta, Monday, December 8.

Secara total, pemerintah merencanakan penyaluran 10.000 ton bantuan beras. Arief menegaskan pentingnya keterlibatan publik untuk mencegah potensi penyimpangan.

“Kami mengapresiasi warganet yang turut mengawasi dan memberi masukan terkait transparansi data,” ujarnya.

- https://voi.id/berita/541248/imbas-sopir-meninggal-di-bantargebang-dki-evaluasi-total-pengelolaan-sampah

- https://voi.id/berita/541191/sopir-truk-sampah-meninggal-diduga-kelelahan-dprd-dki-ini-pelanggaran-keselamatan-manusia

- https://voi.id/berita/540916/sopir-truk-sampah-meninggal-dunia-akibat-kelelahan-pramono-terindikasi-penyakit-jantung

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In total, the government plans to distribute 10,000 tons of rice aid. Arief emphasized the importance of public involvement to prevent potential irregularities.

"We appreciate netizens who also supervise and provide input regarding data transparency," he said.