Jokowi Forms National Food Agency, Faisal Basri Suggests IPB Rector Arif Satria To Become Chair: He's Not Old Yet

JAKARTA - Senior economist Faisal Basri said that the right person to lead the National Food Agency (BPN) is one who already has a lot of experience in the food sector. He also proposed one name to become the Chairman of the BPN which had been officially formed by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), namely the Rector of the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), Arif Satria.

The formation of the BPN by the government is based on Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food, Presidential Regulation Number 48 of 2016 concerning the Assignment of Perum Bulog, and Presidential Regulation Number 66 of 2021 concerning BPN.

For your information, BPN which is directly under the president has the authority to make food regulations and policies. Especially for nine food commodities, namely rice, corn, soybeans, consumption sugar, onions, poultry eggs, ruminant meat, poultry meat and chilies.

"A suitable figure for the head of BPN who already has the blood of food. If not, he would have had a long time to learn," he said during the Indef public discussion, Waiting for the National Food Agency's Replenishment, Monday, August 30.

Faisal also said that the person who is suitable to lead BPN is someone who has been eating sour and salt for a long time in the food world, then has a deep scientific background. In addition, he also has practical experience as a policy maker, and has broad insight.

According to Faisal, all these criteria are in Arif Satria. Moreover, Arif is also considered to have proven capabilities in the fisheries sector and is still relatively young.

"That figure is not far from us, Prof. Arif Satria. So the features are the most complete and not old, not old," he explained.

In addition, Faisal suggested that in the future BPN institutions, the figures chosen should have experience serving in Bulog. According to him, the government can also appoint former Bulog officials.

"For example, the former head of leadership at Bulog who was good could be included in the council or institution," he said.