Acting Governor Of East Kalimantan: Rice Stock Is Safe Until Eid

Acting Governor of East Kalimantan, Akmal Malik, directly inspected the Balikpapan Bulog warehouse to ensure the availability of Bulog rice ahead of the fasting month until Eid al-Fitr. (ANTARA/Januar)

JAKARTA - Governor's Office (Pj) of East Kalimantan (Kaltim) Akmal Malik guarantees the availability of rice stocks in his area until Eid, despite facing weather and production challenges.

"I thank Bulog for carrying out the price stabilization function quite well," said Akmal during an inspection at the warehouse of the Balikpapan Logistics Agency (Bulog), reported by ANTARA, Monday, February 26.

From the results of the inspection, rice stocks in three Bulog warehouses located on Jalan Mayjend Sutoyo, Balikpapan, are available around 20 thousand tons.

"So people don't panic, rice stocks until the end of Eid will be well available," said Akmal, who was accompanied by the Head of Perum Bulog for the East Kalimantan Regional Office, Mersi Windrayani.

Akmal said that Bulog plays an important role in maintaining the stability of rice prices in the market, by selling medium rice which is distributed to traditional markets, modern markets, to shops throughout East Kalimantan.

"For the price of Bulog rice, which is distributed to traders for Rp. 10,500 per kilogram and traders sell according to the Highest Retail Price (HET) of Rp. 11,500," he said.

With this price, Bulog rice is an option for the community in the midst of rising premium rice prices in the market.

Akmal also said that the need for rice in East Kalimantan in one year is 350 thousand tons, but currently it only meets 140 thousand tons. "This means that the need for one year is still less than 210 tons," he said.

This is due to the El-Nino phenomenon so that several production centers have decreased. Therefore, his party will boost rice production by taking into account weather and water factors.

"We are indeed limited, but together with Bulog we will try to find a solution so that the price comparison in the market is not too high," he said.

His party encourages the diversification of other foods ahead of the fasting month. "Local governments take steps to increase the production of goods by encouraging food diversification," he said.