Minister Of Agriculture Amran Reveals Rice Circulating In The Market There Is A Subsidy From The Government Of IDR 160 Trillion

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman said the rice circulating in the market contained subsidized elements from the government.

He added that the funds disbursed by the government for subsidies reached Rp 160 trillion.

Therefore, he reminded all parties not to mess with food commodities subsidized by the government. "This means that every kilo of rice, it is Rp5,000, the government subsidies. This must be maintained. This is for the people, for the people. Don't be fooled by this sector because this is for the wider community and this is vital. If rice is problematic, it's problematic," Amran said in a written statement, Thursday, August 7.

Therefore, he reminded all parties not to mess with food commodities subsidized by the government.

"This means, within every kilo of rice, it is Rp. 5,000 subsidies of the government. This must be maintained. This is for the people, for the people. Don't be fooled by this sector because this is for the wider community and this is vital. If rice is problematic, it's problematic," Amran said in a written statement, Thursday, August 7th.

He added, in accordance with President Prabowo Subianto's direction, all food commodities that receive subsidies must be ensured to be right on target and not misused.

In maintaining rice price stability amid market turmoil, the government has prepared a large-scale market operation that will last until December 2025.

The total rice prepared for this purpose reaches 1.5 million tons, including the 300,000 tons social assistance program (bansos).

"Indeed, we plan as long as prices go up, we continue to operate the market. So in the past there was no market operation of 1.5 million tons. Why? Because we have a lot of stock, so road market operations continue," said Amran.

Amran invites all parties to take the momentum of the Indonesian Independence Day as a reminder to strengthen social solidarity and concern for the poor.

Ia juga mengkritisi praktik perdagangan yang hanya mementingkan keuntungan pribadi dan mengabaikan keadilan sosial.

Menurutnya, model bisnis semacam itu hanya akan menghambat kemajuan bangsa.

"Kapan kita bisa menjadi negara maju kalau kita melakukan perdagangan atau model bisnis seperti ini? Kapan kita maju? Yang kita lindungi adalah saudara kita menengah ke bawah. Apalagi yang miskin ekstrem. Kalau menengah ke atas mungkin tidak terasa seribu rupiah per kilo," katanya.

He also criticized trade practices that only prioritize personal gain and ignore social justice.

According to him, such a business model will only hinder the progress of the nation.

"When can we become a developed country if we trade or a business model like this? When will we progress? What we protect is our lower middle class brother. Moreover, those who are extreme poor. If the upper middle class may not feel a thousand rupiah per kilo," he said.