NFA-BNPP Holds Cheap Food Movements At The Malaysian Border, Timor Leste, And Papua New Guinea

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The National Food Agency (NFA) together with the National Border Management Agency (BNPP) will hold a Cheap Food Movement (GPM) for the community in 12 areas of the Cross-Border Post (PLBN). One of them is on the Malaysian border.

Head of NFA Arief Prasetyo Adi explained that this Cheap Food movement for the community was held to commemorate the 78th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia. This event was chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian as the Head of BNPP at PKSN Ranai, Natuna, Riau Islands.

"NFA together with Perum Bulog, ID FOOD, and the local Food Service welcome and support the August 17 celebration which will be held by BNPP in the border post area of Indonesia with Malaysia, Timor Leste, and Papua New Guinea," he said in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 15.

GPM in 12 PLBN locations spread across 6 provinces, namely Riau Islands (PKSN Ranai Kab. Natuna), West Kalimantan (Aruk Kab. Sambas, Badau Kab. Kapuas Hulu, and Jagoi Babang Kab. Bengkayang), North Kalimantan (Sei Mosquito Kab. Nunukan).

Then, East Nusa Tenggara (Wini Kab. North Central Timor, Napan Kab. North Central Timor, Motaain Kab. Belu, and Motamasin Kab. Malacca), Papua (Skouw Jayapura City), and South Papua (Yetkun Kab. Boven Digoel, Sota Kab. Merauke). Meanwhile, PBLN Entikong Kab. Sanggau, West Kalimantan, GPM will be held on September 17, 2023.

The commodities provided in the GPM consist of SPHP Rice (Bulog Rice), Premium Rice, Minya Goreng, Sugar Consumption, Bawang Merah, Bawang Putih, Chicken Eggs Ras, Wheat Flour, MSME products, and other foodstuffs at varying prices below market prices.

An example at PBLN Sei Mosquito Sebatik Kab. Nunukan, North Kalimantan, prepared various basic necessities, including SPHP Rice for Rp. 9,000 per kg, Oilita for Rp. 14,000 per liter, Consumption Sugar for Rp. 12,500 per kg, wheat flour for Rp. 12,000 per kg, Premium Rice for Rp. 12,900 per kg, shallots for Rp. 27,000 per kg, and garlic for Rp. 29,000 per kg.

"Especially for the six PLBN locations, namely Ranai, Jagoi Babang, Badau, Sei Mosquito, Yetetkun, and Skouw, a number of food aid packages will also be prepared to embrace our brothers and sisters in need around the border area," he said.

Through this activity, Arief hopes that the realization of Merdeka Pangan can be strengthened through synergy and collaboration between Non-Ministerial Government Institutions (LPNK), Central, and Regional Governments as one of the efforts to meet food and nutrition needs of the community as well as accelerate the development of the state border area, which is the front house of the Republic of Indonesia.

"Hopefully the spirit of Merdeka Pangan can also be echoed to the leading regions of the Republic of Indonesia, in this case the people around the border. Hopefully we can all enjoy the celebration of Indonesian Independence Day with joy," he concluded.