Guyur Cheap Rice To The Market, Bulog Boss Asks The Public Not To Hoard

President Director of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso conducted an inspection at Perumnas Klender Market, East Jakarta, Monday (28/8/2023). (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - General Director (Director) of Perum Bulog Budi Waseso asked the public not to buy excessively or hoard rice, especially rice from the Government Rice Cadang (CBP).

As is known, this state-owned company received an assignment from the government through the National Food Agency (Bapanas) to distribute cheap rice to the public as part of the Food Stability and Food Price (SPHP) program.

"Hopefully people can buy cheap rice according to their needs. But remember, not to hoard, buy a lot. Jagan until there is panic buying because the availability is there," he said at Perumnas Klender Market, East Jakarta, Monday, August 28.

Buwas, Budi Waseso's nickname, explained that this SPHP rice is rice distributed by the government through Bulog for price intervention in the market. The reason is, the price of rice is currently creeping up.

Buwas said the Ready-to-Keep Market Price Movement with the SPHP or SIGAP SPHP was simultaneously implemented throughout Indonesia starting August 28, 2023 and it was confirmed that SPHP rice would flood markets in all regions through retailers and also available in modern retailers.

"The distribution of SPHP rice that has been running starting earlier this year will be massive through retail traders, for that we need to see directly and ensure this program runs on target," he said.

From the beginning of the year to today, said Buwas, Bulog has poured as much as 723,000 tons of SPHP rice throughout Indonesia. His party has also issued instructions to all ranks that the SIGAP SPHP Movement must run smoothly throughout the year.

"We are continuously monitoring the current situation and with the current strength of the government's rice reserves, which are controlled by Bulog as much as 1.6 million tons, so we assure the entire community not to worry because Bulog has very safe stock for the needs of stabilizing rice prices throughout the year," he explained.

Meanwhile, Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prestyo Adi said Bulog had stabilized the price of rice very well in the first half, and continued in the second half of this year.

"We should give appreciation to BULOG for preparing the government's rice reserves well so that they can anticipate the impact of Elnino and also prepare stock security in facing the election early next year," said Arief.