Food Agency Will Not Investigate Prabowo Gibran's SPHP With Sticky Rice

Illustration of food stabilization rice and food prices. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The National Food Agency has confirmed that it will not carry out an investigation related to the circulation of photos of Bulog's Food Stabilization and Food Price (SPHP) packaged with campaign stickers for candidate pairs (paslon) number 02 Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka.

This was conveyed by Deputy I for Food Availability and Stabilization of the National Food Agency, i Gusti Ketut Astawa. Instead of conducting an investigation, Ketut said that his party would actually confirm whether the distribution of SPHP rice by Perum Bulog was going well.

As is known, the SPHP is a government program through the National Food Agency implemented by Perum Bulog in order to maintain rice price stability.

"I don't think the Food Agency will carry out an investigation, which clearly ensures that all assignments to Bulog go well. Now, if one, two (photos) that we might not want to enter the area there. Let friends, if they don't do that, they will complain via social media," he said when contacted by VOI, Friday, January 26.

Furthermore, Ketut admitted, he would also ask Perum Bulog to carry out surveillance and ensure that the rice coming out of Bulov's warehouse was not used for campaigns.

The reason is, the purchase of large amounts of SPHP rice can only be done through Bulog.

Meanwhile, if through the distributor the purchase is limited.

Karena kalau yang bisa membeli banyak itu pasti dari Bulog. Kalau dari distributor paling dia dapatnya 5 ton, 3 ton itu sudah maksimal, sehingga sekali lagi kalau tujuannya untuk kampanye, rasa tidak mungkin, katanya.

"Because it is impossible for him to get much, while from Bulog it is impossible for him to obtain. Because it is impossible for him to take (via Bulog) in the context of a campaign," he continued.

Ketut said that the distribution of rice from Bulog to D1 and D2 or distributors will be monitored. This includes distribution from distributors to consumers.

However, he said, if the rice is already in the hands of consumers, it is no longer the responsibility of the Food Agency or Bulog.

Bulog juga pasti akan menurunkan (beras SPHP) melalui D1 dan D2-nya agar juga beras itu harus diserahkan kepada konsumen. Mungkin pada di konsumen mereka dikumpul dan melakukan ini (digunakan kampanye), itu di luar ini (kewenangan) kami, jelasnya.