Government Reviewing Potential Extension of Rice Social Assistance

ILLUSTRATION PHOTO VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said the government is reviewing the rice social assistance (bansos) to be extended to September-December 2023, from September-November 2023.

“It's under review. If okay, later (extended) until December. "If it's okay again, until January, February," said Erick Thohir at Rawamangun Market, Jakarta, quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, October 4.

Erick made this statement after reviewing the stock and price of rice at Rawamangun Market. Previously, they reviewed the operations of the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) rice market at the Cipinang Rice Main Market.

Erick refers to the social assistance of 10 kilograms of rice per month for Beneficiary Families (KPM) for three months, namely September, October and November 2023. This social assistance is the second package for 2023 after the same amount was given in March, April and May 2023.

He emphasized that the government has not yet decided on plans to extend the provision of rice social assistance packages. The most important thing, he said, is the community's focus on increasing domestic production.

"If it turns out (social assistance) is extended, thank God," said Erick.

Erick Thohir said the government had issued food aid worth IDR 8 trillion to 21.3 million KPM. He emphasized that this step was a solution given to the government in dealing with high food prices.

"This is the solution provided," said Erick.

During the week, President Joko Widodo assigned him to meet with Bulog, the Food Agency and regional governments to ensure that rice stocks were safe and under control.

“Looking at the world situation, food prices are the highest in the last 7 years. "It's not just rice, oil, corn and so on," said Erick.

Therefore, Erick Thohir invited the public to encourage domestic rice production to meet domestic needs and reduce rice prices.

Erick Thohir explained that the rice stock at the Cipinang Rice Main Market had reached 31,410 tons. This stock is 4,000 tons less than the target set by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo (Jokowi), namely 35 thousand tons.

“We must continue to push for this so that we are independent. God willing, we can," he said.

Based on data from Food Station, the average price of medium rice at PIBC on October 2 2023 was IDR 11,185, IDR 1,415 lower than the price of rice on September 14 2023 which reached IDR 12,600 per kilo.