Fact-Based Reports, Bulog Calls Victims Of Allegations Of Mark Up For Rice Imports From Vietnam

Illustration - Workers are moving rice in warehouses. ANTARA.

Perum Bulog claims to have been a victim of allegations of alleged mark-ups (increasing prices) for rice imports from Vietnam, which has been reported by one of the parties to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). "As a result of reports that try to form bad opinions in society without being based on facts, of course this has made Perum Bulog a victim," said Perum Bulog Corporate Secretary Arwakhudin Widiarso in a statement in Jakarta, Antara, Sunday, July 7. Widiarso conveyed this in response to the issue of alleged mark-ups reported by the People's Democracy Study (SDR) to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), related to an offer from a Vietnamese company called Tan Long Group. According to Widiarso, based on the report which is judged without any facts, it will harm the reputation of the company that has been fostered by Perum Bulog. "Especially when the company is currently actively improving itself through transformation in all business lines carried out," he said. He made an analogy today that the rice market is for example Rp. 12,000 per kilogram (kg). Those who have never participated in the auction process suddenly admitted that they could sell rice at a price of Rp. 5,000 per kg, but never intended to sell and send the goods so that they canceled their participation in the open auction. According to him, if it continues to participate in an open auction and offers the price but fails to submit the goods, then his party will fine the Vietnamese company in the form of a percentage of the contract value. "It is very easy to claim that it has offered a low price, if the goods are not real and have never been handed over," added Widiarso. Separately, one of Shanti Dewi Mulyaraharjani's legal experts also responded to the polemic surrounding the report to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) against Perum Bulog. According to Shanti, if the report is not based on evidence, it will become a public lie, so that the legal process cannot be continued. Moreover, according to Shanti, as long as it has not been signed, it must prioritize the principle of presumption of innocence and there should be no formation of opinions that can mislead and influence the public. Meanwhile, the Director of Supply Chain and Public Service of Perum Bulog, Mokhamad Suyamto, responded to allegations of mark-ups (increasing the price) for rice imports from Vietnam. Dia mengungkapkan bahwa perusahaan Tan Long Vietnam yang diberitakan memberikan penawaran beras, sebenarnya tidak pernah mengajukan penawaran harga sejak bid tahun 2024 dibuka. "So it has no import contract ties with us this year,” said Suyamto. According to him, the entity concerned had registered himself as a partner of Perum Bulog in import activities, but had never given a price offer to Bulog. Therefore, Suyamto regretted the allegations of mark-up imports of rice without being based on facts. Meanwhile, Director of Transformation and Inter-Institutional Relations of Perum Bulog Sonya Mamoriska said that his party received an assignment to import rice from the Ministry of Trade of 3.6 million tons in 2024. "In the January-May 2024 period, the number of imports has reached 2.2 million tons," said Sonya. Imports are carried out by Perum Bulog on a regular basis by looking at the national balance sheet and prioritizing the absorption of rice and grain in the country. Until the end of June, continued Sonya, Perum Bulog has absorbed 800 thousand tons of domestic rice and is optimistic that it can absorb 1 million tons of rice, exceeding the target given by the government.

"We are committed to remain a trusted food supply chain leader so that we can contribute more to the welfare of the Indonesian people and this is of course in accordance with our 4th vision of transformation, namely leadership, trust, best service and community welfare," said Sonya.