Stabilize Rice Prices, Need Collaboration Between Government Institutions Including The National Police Food Task Force

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JAKARTA - Collaboration between government institutions, including the National Police Food Task Force, is deemed necessary to prevent an increase in rice prices. In particular, before the month of Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr.

"It is also necessary to coordinate with the National Police's Food Task Force, the three institutions must coordinate to handle rice evenly so that rice prices can be reduced," said a public policy observer from Trisakti University, Trubus Rahadiansyah to reporters, Thursday, February 29.

Currently, the government is trying to stabilize rice prices by importing them. Although, the policy is considered only to address the problem for a while.

"There are several areas due to climate crop failure, rice harvest has decreased," he said.

With collaboration between institutions, Trubus predicts rice prices in several areas will gradually fall ahead of the month of Ramadan to Eid al-Fitr.

Rice prices in a number of areas have been observed to fall. Sales of medium quality rice from Bulog, for example, are sold at the Cipinang Rice Main Market at a price of IDR 10,600/kilogram.

"The reduction in rice prices can continue until Ramadan and Eid," he said.

However, Trubus said that this condition still depends on the policy taken by President Joko Widodo. He certainly hopes that the price of rice will continue to fall until Lebaran and be stable after that.

"This maintains public trust, yes, trust in the government," he said.

The Indonesian Market Traders Association (Ikappi) previously revealed that rice prices are currently soaring by 20 percent. In fact, Ramadan is still quite far away.

Secretary-General of Ikappi Reynaldi Sarijowan said the current price of rice is Rp. 18 thousand per kilogram, a high increase compared to usually around Rp. 14,000 per kg. This is the highest price during the administration of President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Meanwhile, President Jokowi had mentioned that rice prices had fallen in a number of markets. Thus, the narrative about the price of rising rice is asked not to be swallowed immediately.

"Try to check, don't inform like that, yes (rice prices go up). Try to check at the Cipinang Main Market, check at Johar Market, these rice markets must be checked. Try to come to Cipinang Market, check what price goes up. Check at Johar Market, go up or not, go down or not," said Jokowi.