Rice Prices Are Expensive, Tom Lembong: That's What Happens If The Government Is Toopoliticized

Tom Lembong (DOK Diah Ayu/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Co-Captain of the Anies-Muhaimin (AMINAn National Team) National Team who is also the former Minister of Trade, Thomas Lembong, highlighted the high price of rice, especially premium rice, which has soared some time ago. Tom Lembong suspects that there are indications of massive rice stock transfer in Bulog only for the distribution of social assistance (bansos) that the government will intensify during the 2024 General Election. Tom views, this shows that the wheels of government are not going well. Because, according to him, government officials are more concerned with increasing their political image during elections than the needs of the wider community. "There are indications that the social assistance policy that was taken drains the stock of Bulog up to 1.3 million tons. If the condition of basic necessities such as rice is just this chaotic, we imagine the aspects of the needs of the community and other Ministries. That is what happens if the government and its policies are too politicized," said Tom at the AMIN Change House, South Jakarta, Monday, February 26. Tom reminded that there is a potential for food prices that are more soaring in line with increasing demand ahead of the month of Ramadan until this year's Eid Al-Fitr. Meanwhile, Tom considers the alleged politicization of social assistance to be hampering comprehensive efforts to reduce food prices. "Therefore, it is most ideal for politics to be handed over to politicians and bureaucracy to be handed over to the bureaucracy. Don't mix up so that the rights of the same person are told to take care of politics and also take care of the needs of the community, both will not be done," said Tom.

On that basis, the former Head of the Investment Coordinating Board suggested that government officials put aside political affairs and focus more on solving the problem of people's food needs. "Technocratically, the government can immediately return to take care of the needs of the community. Because so far I have been listening, I'm even busy with politics. So, people's needs are not well-management," he added.