Regarding High Rice Prices, Minister Of Trade Zulhas: Next Month Already Panens, God Willing, Cheap

Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

BEKASI - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan ensured that rice prices would fall in the near future. Because, until now, Bulog is still carrying out market operations.

"The rice will be harvested next month, God willing, it will be cheap," Zulkifli told reporters in Bekasi, Friday, February 10.

The minister, who is often called Zulhas, also said that Bulog was still carrying out market operations and ensured that the price of rice incurred by his party was at Rp9,450.

"So, if you want to buy Rp9,450 rice, then Bulog rice, if it's premium, then the prices are various," he said.

On the same day, the President Director of Perum Bulog, Budi Waseso, revealed that there was an alleged imported Bulog rice that would be smuggled into Timor Leste.

The rice was deliberately brought to Indonesia to stabilize food supply and prices (SPHP) or market operations.

Buwas, as Budi Waseso is familiarly called, explained that this allegation arose after he carried out a surprise inspection of the Cipinang Rice Main Market some time ago.

"The rice from Cipinang can go all the way to Atambua (East Nusa Tenggara) today, and it is sold at a very expensive price. There are indications that this rice will be smuggled into Timor Leste," he said during a press conference at the Banten Police, West Java, today.

According to Buwas, the existence of this alleged smuggling made the government's efforts to stabilize rice prices in vain.

Moreover, he said, these individuals set an expensive price to take personal advantage.

"This means that this country is trying to meet the needs of its people, but there are people who take advantage of it. The entrepreneurs who do this will actually ( bring Bulog rice) removed from Indonesia," he added.