Jokowi: Until June, No Imported Rice Entered Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Cabinet Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has opened his voice regarding the polemic on rice imports. Jokowi emphasized that for the next few months, the government will not import rice.

"I assure you that until June 2021 there is no imported rice entering our country, Indonesia. We know that it has been almost three years since these imports have not imported rice," Jokowi said in a YouTube broadcast of the Presidential Secretariat, Friday, March 26.

Jokowi admitted that the government had signed an agreement or MoU with Thailand and Vietnam. However, this does not mean that the government directly imports rice.

"Indeed, there is an MoU with Thailand and Vietnam, just in case, given the pandemic situation which is full of uncertainty. I emphasize once again that the rice has not yet entered," said Jokowi.

The polemic of importing 1 million tons of rice has been discussed since some time ago. Many parties refuse, even within the government there seems to be a difference in voice over the import plan for the government's rice reserve stock (CBP) at Perum Bulog.

The plan to import rice is supported by the Golkar Party. Meanwhile, the PDI-P refused. Then, the Indonesian Ombudsman said there was potential for maladministration in this rice import plan.

Initially, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto stated that the government would import 1 million-1.5 million tons of rice in the near future. This is done to maintain domestic supply, so that prices remain under control.

"One of the important things is the provision of rice with a stock of 1 million to 1.5 million," said Airlangga some time ago.

Minister of Trade Muhammad Lutfi then agreed to the plan. According to him, the decision was taken with careful calculations with the availability at Perum Bulog.

Lutfi explained that there were minutes of a meeting at the cabinet level stating that Perum Bulog must have rice reserves or iron stock of 500 thousand tons. The rice procurement can come from imports.

Meanwhile, he received information that Bulog's current rice stock was only 800 thousand tons. This amount includes the remaining imported rice in 2018, which amounted to 270 thousand tons to 300 thousand tons.

According to Lutfi, imported rice in 2018 is likely to decline in quality. As a result, if the current stock is reduced by the remaining imported rice, the amount could be under 500 thousand tons.