Indef Economist Abra Alattov Speaks Loudly That The President Is Unresponsible For The High Price Of Rice, Considers Jokowi's Statement Inappropriate

Indef Economist Abra Talattov

JAKARTA - Indef economist Abra Alattov feels sad about President Joko Widodo's attitude in responding to the high price of rice sold in the community. Abra assessed that Jokowi seemed to have distanced himself from the burden borne by the people in the midst of the high price of rice.

Abra initially commented on the policies that have recently been entertaining. One of them is the distribution of social assistance (bansos) which is considered to be a campaign tool for one of the candidate pairs.

"Even social assistance has jokes, don't let our country be able to perpetuate this authoritative and publishing government, this is how to make people, human resources, welfare not rise," said Abra during a discussion and national emergency consolidation event 'Rusaknya Tata Kelola Negara' broadcast on the PMII Official YouTube account, Monday, March 4.

Indicators, continued Abra, in 2024, President Jokowi targeted poverty to be reduced to 6-7.5 percent. But the fact is that until last year the poverty rate was still 9.3 percent.

"Second, unemployment. The target is to reduce 3.5-4.3 percent but the figure is still 5.2 percent, still large around 8 million unemployed, that's 20 percent of gen Z generation aged 15-24 years. This means that if for example the government closes social problems, especially young people who still have a high sense of idealism and criticality, it will become a time bomb," explained Abra.

Abra said that the public is now witnessing how the elite elite is so vulgar in distributing power and state facilities for the benefit of the family. This, he said, would be dangerous.

"Collutative policies are felt in price increases, for example rice prices, up 18 percent. This is the highest increase since the new order era. IDR 18 thousand per kilo," he said.

Abra then felt sad about President Jokowi's response to the soaring price of rice. According to him, the head of state should not be indifferent to the good of this staple price.

"Marisnya, kita mendengar tadi pagi pak presiden menyampaikan seperti ingin menjauh diri dari beban yang ditanggungkan oleh masyarakat. Ini sangat tidak pantaskan statement itu keluar dari kepala negara," tegas Abra.

"Supposedly, no matter how intense questions are from the public, yes, it should be answered and given peace of the community, not even avoiding it. Now, we are even more worried, don't let the government be unable to stabilize rice prices or other basic needs," he added.

Abra also brought up Jokowi's commitment to self-sufficiency in food but instead joined in the demand for imports. Where last year had imported 3 million tons of rice and it was increased this year to 3.4 million tons.

"It's been a big import, I'm surprised that the price of rice food doesn't fall. Again, the reason is because elnino, restrictions on imports from other countries, the long rainy season. But I don't think the social assistance program was carried out in January before the election is very visible," he concluded.

This morning, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said rice prices had decreased. The public is asked to check directly at the rice wholesale market in Cipinang, Jakarta and Johar, Karawang, West Java.

This was conveyed by Jokowi when asked about the high price of rice in the market. He said, people could flock to the two markets.

"Just asked, please flock to the Cipinang rice main market and also to the rice market at the Johar market, Karawang. Seen in the field, it has gone down," Jokowi told reporters at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, Jakarta, Monday, March 4.

Jokowi agrees that the prices in the two markets cannot be a benchmark. However, he invited the public to check directly there.

"Indeed, it cannot represent prices throughout the country, in several provinces. Try to check everything, check directly. Don't ask me even though I know, every day the price goes up and down I know," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

"Don't keep asking me questions. Check out the field yourself, flock to it," concluded Jokowi.