Puan Asks The Government To Control Rice Prices That Make Mothers Sewot

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The price of rice in the market has risen again until the fourth week of July 2024. The government is urged to immediately control rice prices so as not to further burden the community.

"From June the price of rice continues to rise, there must be an evaluation from the Government to immediately overcome this. The burden on the community will be even heavier if the price increase in rice has not been controlled," said Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, Monday, July 29.

Based on data from the price panel (Bapanas) on Saturday (27/7), the price of premium rice was recorded at IDR 15,860, an increase of up to 1.99 percent. Meanwhile, medium rice is valued at IDR 13,620, an increase of 0.29 percent.

Meanwhile, the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) noted that in the fourth week of July, rice experienced an increase in prices in 33.33 percent of regions in Indonesia, namely 120 districts/cities with an increase of 0.78 percent compared to June 2024.

The price of rice began to be monitored to increase during the July period in line with low production and limited stock during the dry season. Puan also asked the Government to guarantee rice stocks in the market for the needs of the community.

The government must be able to ensure the safety of rice stocks so that distribution runs smoothly. If the distribution is smooth, the price of rice will start to stabilize again," said the first woman who served as Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives.

Currently, Perum Bulog has alerted supplies through the procurement of domestic rice as much as 759,419 tons until mid-July 2024. This rice stock is mostly Government Rice Reserves (CBP) that local governments can use for food assistance needs, price stabilization and supply for market operations.

In addition, the Government also plans to open a tap for importing 2.2 million tons of rice. The government is asked to strictly supervise the implementation of this rice import so that there is no state loss.

"The rice reserves must be able to meet the needs of the community, and be immediately distributed to areas experiencing a rice stock deficit," continued Puan.

From the results of today's Inflation Control Coordination Meeting conducted by the Ministry of Home Affairs and related institutions and stakeholders, the increase in food commodities occurred not only in rice. It is known, the price of cayenne pepper and cooking oil is still high in the market.

"The increase in commodity prices will definitely have an impact on other commodities. So it is very important that the steps to control the increase in food prices are taken," explained Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture stated that the Government needs to be sensitive to the condition of rising food commodity prices in the market. Moreover, said Puan, the instability of rice prices could trigger an increase in inflation.

Puan also encouraged the Government to optimize market operations. Market operations are important so that no sellers raise prices beyond market prices in general.

"This market operation aims to sell rice at a more affordable price directly to the community. The point is that there should be no people who are in trouble if they want to buy rice," said Puan.