Reported To KPK Regarding Alleged Mark Up For Rice Imports, Badanas Says This

Illustration (Photo: Doc Antara)

The National Food Agency (Bapanas) was reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the alleged mark-up for rice imports of 2.2 million tons.

Responding to this, the Deputy for Food Availability and Stabilization of the National Food Agency (NFA) I Gusti Ketut Astawa revealed that his party invited anyone to report suspected corruption cases to anti-corruption agencies.

"Of course we respect and respect the reporting from the community as the right to democracy. Law enforcement and eradication of corruption by the KPK must also be respected and fully supported," he said in a statement on remsi, Friday, July 5.

Furthermore, Ketut emphasized that Bapanas was only a regulator and denied importing contracts.

"We convey that the National Food Agency is in accordance with its duties and functions as a regulator who is technically not included in the implementation of imports," he explained.

Ketut also explained that the reluctance to import had been fully handed over to Perum Bulog. However, he admitted that he had received a report that Bulog was not related to a contract with a Vietnamese company.

"Bulog has also clarified that the Vietnamese company has never given a price offer to Bulog," said Ketut.

Furthermore, Ketut said, in carrying out the duties and functions of the National Food Agency (NFA) always refers to Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 66 of 2021 concerning the National Food Agency.

"We at the National Food Agency since we first stood focused on building a national food ecosystem. As the regulator mandated by Presidential Decree 66 of 2021, of course we always carry the principles of professionalism, accountability, and collaboration," he said.

Together with SOEs, food through assignments to Perum Bulog and ID FOOD, we continue to work hand in hand to support the food needs of the Indonesian people. We also embrace private friends and various associations. All work together with one goal, prosperous farmers, profit traders, smiling people," he continued.

Previously, Perum Bulog had clarified the issue of mark-ups reported by related parties regarding the offer from a Vietnamese company called Tan Long Group, it turns out that the entity concerned had registered itself as one of the partners of Perum Bulog in import activities, but had never made a price offer to Bulog.

"The Tan Long Vietnam company that is reported to have made rice offerings, has actually never submitted a price offer since the 2024 bidding was opened. So it has no import contract ties with us this year," said the Director of Supply Chain and Public Services at Perum Bulog, Mokhamad Suyamto.