The Ministry Of Trade's Response To The Increase In Rice Prices: Only Rp100 Per Kilogram

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) has spoken about the increase in rice prices.

Through the Acting Director General of Domestic Trade Syailendra, the Ministry of Trade acknowledged that there was an increase, but not too big.

"The price of rice has only increased by Rp100 (per kilogram)," he said when met at the Indonesian Attorney General's Office, South Jakarta, Friday, September 16.

Furthermore, Syailendra said that in order to maintain rice stocks and prices, the Ministry of Trade has worked with the Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog) Perum.

Syailendra also admitted that he had collaborated with the National Food Agency (Banas) to intervene in the market, especially for premium class rice.

In addition, the Ministry of Trade has synergized with Bapanas to distribute Government Rice Reserves (CBP).

Syailendra said, the current stock of CBP is sufficient to meet domestic needs.

"We have a stock of almost 900.000 tons," he said.

Previously, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the price of basic goods was still monitored to be stable, although the price of subsidized fuel oil (BBM) had increased some time ago.

This means that there has been no significant impact as a result of the increase in fuel prices.

Zulhas, Zulkifli Hasan's nickname, also ensured that the Ministry of Defense would continue to keep prices for basic necessities stable.

"The increase in subsidized fuel has not affected the price of basic necessities that are still stable," said Zulhas, in an official statement, Thursday, September 15.