Coordinating Minister For Human Development And Culture Guarantees Food Availability Ahead Of Eid Is Still Safe

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy when met in Jakarta, Monday (18/3/2024). ANTARA/Sean Muhamad.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture (Menko PMK) Muhadjir Effendy guarantees that food availability ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1445 H/2024 M is still safe.

"Earlier from the Ministry of Trade, it has reported, God willing, it is ready, there is no problem," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, March 18.

Despite the price increase, Coordinating Minister Muhadjir said the price increase was still relatively reasonable.

"There is indeed an increase. It is from rice, chili, eggs, and chicken meat. However, the increase is relatively reasonable, meaning it does not increase," he said.

Especially rice, Muhadjir said, the government through the National Food Agency (Bapanas) would conduct market operations to facilitate the public to be able to buy affordable food.

"Sekarang juga sudah mulai operasi, mudah-mudahan jika ada kenaikan juga tidak terlalu mengganggu kejayaan Lebaran kita," katanya.

Separately, Head of Badanas Arief Prasetyo Adi said the government would import 22,500 tons of rice from Cambodia.

These imports are carried out to meet the needs of rice stocks ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1445 H, in addition to relying on domestic production.

"We prioritize domestic production, only for Bulog, availability today is indeed procured from abroad. From Cambodia 22,500 (tons)," he said after attending a meeting chaired by President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta.

According to Arief, Badanas is preparing a rice harvest in March-April 2024 to support the availability of rice stocks.

Arief also believes that the government will be able to meet the needs of rice for the community ahead of Eid, including by providing assistance to beneficiary families (KPM).