Coordinating Minister For Food: Imported Rice For Hotels And Restaurants Affected By VAT 12 Percent

Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs (Menko Pangan) Zulkifli Hasan revealed that special rice will be affected by an increase in value added tax (VAT) of 12 percent. This tax increase will take effect in January 2025.

Zulhas, as Zulkifli Hasan is familiarly called, said that the special rice affected by 12 percent VAT is imported rice for hotels or restaurants. For example, shirataki rice.

"Well, those who get it (VAT 12 percent) like to eat Japan. For example, what is the rice called? Shirataki," he said at a press conference at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Monday, December 23.

Meanwhile, he continued, the medium rice and premium rice produced by domestic production consumed by the community were not affected. This means that VAT is still free.

Karena kalau premium, medium ya di pasar tidak terkena (PPN). Short kata pangan tidak ada (yang terkena VAT 12 persen), yang dalam negeri itu tidak aken. Kecuali ada beras tadi itu yang khusus seperti beras Jepang, ucapnya.

Similarly, Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi said the type of rice affected by VAT was only imported rice. This means that all types of rice produced by domestically are not affected by VAT 12 percent.

"So the special rice is imported. Yes, hotels, restaurants that make Susi So that means it, it has to be like that," said Arief.

Furthermore, Arief revealed, his party had also discussed this with the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto.

"Coordinating Minister Airlangga is the same. So premium rice, the medium is not affected," he added.