Acting Governor Of West Java Admits Bulog Rice In Retail Drag

Acting Governor of West Java Bey Winhi Machmudin gave a statement at Gedung Sate Bandung, Thursday (22/2/2024) (ANTARA/Ricky Prayoga)

BANDUNG - Acting Governor of West Java Beyvi Machmudin confirmed that the availability of stock rice from the Logistics Affairs Agency (Bulog) in several retailers was indeed dragged.

According to Bey, this was due to the rice procurement process by retail which was slightly hampered due to administration in the demand for rice which was required to go to the central Bulog.

"Yesterday I went to retail-retail, yes, it was an administration like at Lotte, so most of them haven't entered. There is administration waiting to be completed, it must be recorded first at the central Bulog," said Bey as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, February 22.

In some retail, Bey revealed that currently the incoming rice is not from Bulog, with the Highest Retail Price (HET) in the premium category.

"Yogya is the same way, but the information is that Yogya in Cirebon City has entered as of today. Later I will check with several more retailes," said Bey.

For supply, Bey revealed that Bulog rice supply is safe where currently there are 57 thousand tons of existing stock, and there will be an additional 20 thousand tons of imported rice.

"So until Lebaran it is safe and imports continue to run for rice, so it is certain to be safe," he said.

Regarding the high price of rice in the market between Rp. 13 thousand to Rp. 15 thousand per kilogram for medium rice and premium rice up to Rp. 17 thousand per kilogram, Bey said Bulog provided anticipatory guarantees with the distribution of aid rice.

"Then the Indag office in the city of Jabupaten has also started to pick up the ball directly to the sub-district, but I also ask that the sub-districts be divided again per RW or RT, so there are many points so there are no queues, because after all the goods are there," said Bey.

Previously, Bey asked the public to be calm and not to hoard it, because the rice stock for West Java is ensured to be safe and available in both the people's market and Bulog's warehouse.

"We have checked the availability of rice (at the Gedebage Main Market), first, people don't need to panic because rice is there. In the rice market there is also Bulog, so there is no need to hoard," said Bey, Tuesday, February 20.