Bulog Followed By Time, Buwas Ensures Late-February Rice Imports

Bulog President Director Budi Waseso. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The President Director of Perum Bulog, Budi Waseso, confirmed that the second phase of imported rice will arrive in Indonesia in mid-February. This is different from the decision of the Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan, who will close the import permit at the end of January.

Even so, Buwas, Budi Waseso's nickname, guaranteed that in March there would be no more rice import activity, considering that in that month the domestic farmers were entering the peak of the harvest.

"We tried (imports entering) last mid-February. So in March there were no more imported goods entering Indonesia," said Budi, at the DPR Commission IV Working Meeting, Monday, January 16.

Buwas also emphasized that Bulog's policy of importing rice was not proposed. Rather, it is a joint decision with the government that has gone through a series of cabinet meetings and coordination meetings.

As is known, Bulog received an assignment to import 500,000 tons of rice from several countries to meet domestic needs.

In the first phase, Bulog plans to bring in 200,000 tons of imported rice. However, until now only about 120,000 tons have entered Indonesia and it is estimated that it will reach all of them by the end of January 2023.

Meanwhile, for the second phase as much as 300,000 tons will enter in February. The plan is to enter 15,000 tons from Vietnam in early February and gradually enter it all.

Buwas said that if the first and second stages of rice imports were not realized later, Bulog would not mind that. According to him, the most important thing is that his party has made efforts to get the imported goods to quickly enter the country.

"We can't force it, I've tried, I don't have a ship, I don't have it. The sea is not me who can control it, especially the weather, when we want to fight it. Yes, it's okay if it's canceled later, it's okay," he said.

Not only that, Buwas was also seen responding casually if imported rice failed to enter in accordance with the import quota set by the government.

"We'll talk about it again. (If it's canceled) then it's okay, it's not me. This is all the state's orders. If you ask to cancel it, cancel it. We don't have a problem, we don't have to make it dizzy," he said.

Previously reported, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) emphasized that his party would close the faucet on rice imports no later than the end of January 2023. This is because Indonesia will soon enter the main harvest season in March.

"January end rice, it's no longer allowed. January. I can't anymore, I will give permission until January. After that, I can't anymore," he said in Cilegon, Banten, Sunday, January 15.

According to Zulhas, there is no reason whatsoever to enter imported rice after the permit is closed. Zulhas said, when it enters the main harvest season, it must absorb rice in the country.

"Yes, blame yourself, please. We buy farmers, it's already harvested. Buy a lot of new farmers after that we operate the market," said Zulhas.