Rice Prices Are Expensive, Bulog Boss Says He Will Not Revise HET

President Director of Perum Bulog, Bayu Krisnamurthi. (Mery Handayani / VOI)

JAKARTA - President Director of Perum Bulog Bayu Krisnamurthi said the government has no plans to revise the current rice retail price (HET), even though rice prices are currently experiencing an increase.

This was conveyed by Bayu as well as responding to the request of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo) for the HET of premium rice to be relaxed. This request was motivated so that there is a middle point for good prices for rice and retail distributors amidst the high price of rice.

"Oil and Gas. HET was not adjusted. The HET has been decided by the President to not be adjusted. So it remains," he said at the Perum Bulog office, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 13.

Regarding the scarcity of premium rice including Stableized rice Supply and Food Prices (SPHP) in modern retailers, Bayu said that actually rice supply exists and is sufficient. The reason is, every request from retail is always fulfilled by Perum Bulog.

"So, we know there are some that are empty. If you mention it, there is (the stock), I don't mention any, modern shops that don't have rice. But most of them are there and enough," he explained.

Bayu said Bulog had distributed 226,000 tons of SPHP from the beginning of the year until February 12. This number includes modern retailers to rice kiosks in traditional markets.

"Our SPHP, starting from yesterday, has been immediately boosted, as a national record until February 12, 226,000 tons of SPHP have been distributed nationally," he explained.

Bayu said, within 10 days in February, Bulog had disbursed 60,000 tons of SPHP rice in Jakarta.

"Yesterday, Monday, we immediately started working. We sent it to Hypermart 40 tons, to Ramayana 50 tons, Lotte we sent 10 tons, Alfamart 30 tons, Indomaret 50 tons, Indogrosir 40 tons. So once ordered, we will go straight away. All of that is for Jakarta. Bulog is not just closed," he said.