DPR Commission IV Urges Sri Mulyani To Immediately Pay Off Debt To Bulog Worth IDR 4.5 Trillion: That's A Big Enough Value

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the DPR RI urges Finance Minister Sri Mulyani to immediately pay off Perum Bulog's receivables worth Rp. 4.5 trillion. This is because the payment of the debt will help boost Bulog's operations throughout this year.

The chairman of Commission IV of the DPR RI, Sudin, hopes that the RDP can recommend and suggest that the Ministry of Finance immediately pay off the government's obligations to SOEs in the food sector.

"Please make a conclusion at the meeting (RDP), ask the government, I think the Ministry of Finance will pay off Bulog's debt so that they can work properly," he said in a meeting with Bulog's Managing Director Budi Waseso, Monday, January 17.

Furthermore, Sub-Department said that the value of the government's debt to Bulog is quite large. Moreover, Bulog also has a debt to Himbara Bank in carrying out its duties from the government.

"So the government has a debt to Bulog of Rp. 4.5 trillion. Of which Bulog's debt to Himbara is Rp. 13 trillion. This is with a commercial interest of 7.5 percent. Approximately, from Rp. 4.5 trillion, you have to pay 7.5 percent, right? big," he said.

As previously reported, Bulog's Managing Director Budi Waseso said the government still owes Bulog nearly Rp4.5 trillion. The debt is an accumulation of the government's assignment to Bulog to distribute PPKM rice assistance, including the social welfare rice program (Bansos Rastra).

"Indeed, there are several state debts to us, including the issue of PPKM rice assistance, including the previous Rastra Social Assistance. Indeed, the debt is almost Rp4.5 trillion," he said at a press conference at the Bulog Office, Jakarta, Tuesday, December 28.

Buwas, as Budi is called, said that the government has not paid the debt. Because, there are several regulations at the ministerial level that must be changed, namely the regulation of the minister of social affairs (Permensos).

"There is a regulation from the Minister of Social Affairs that should be changed, and until now there has been no change. So the debt cannot be paid," he said.

Buwas said the funds used by Bulog to distribute the rice were loans from a number of state-owned banks. He also admitted that he was worried that the interest on the loan would increase. Therefore, Buwas hopes that the government will immediately pay off the debt to Bulog. That way, Bulog can pay off the debt to the bank.

Furthermore, Buwas said that payment of government debt is very important and has an impact on the processing of company cash flows.

"Bulog is spending the government's rice reserves (CBP) with debt funds to banks. Of course the effect is related to interest issues.