Stabilize Food Prices, Police Distribute 5,706 Tons Of Rice To Thousands Of Points

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit. (IST)

JAKARTA - National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit stated that he had distributed 5,706 tons of SPHP rice to thousands of points. This step was taken to stabilize food prices.

This was conveyed in the simultaneous launch of the Cheap Food Movement throughout Indonesia which was attended by the Minister of Home Affairs Muhammad Tito Karnavian; Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) Arief Prasetyo Adi; and President Director of Perum Bulog Major General TNI Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani.

"Alhamdulillah, today we are holding kick-offs of the Cheap Food Movement simultaneously. As of August 13, 5,706 tons of SPHP rice have been distributed at 4,705 points. Especially today, we distributed 2,424 tons at 1,552 points with nearly 485,000 beneficiaries," Sigit told reporters, Thursday, August 14.

It was stated that in the program carried out by the National Police together with Bulog, the rice, sugar, and oil that were sold did not exceed the Highest Retail Price (HET).

"We continue to encourage the distribution of 1.3 million tons of SPHP rice so that it will be realized immediately according to the direction of the President. Evaluation will be carried out every week to ensure the program runs optimally," he said.

Head of the National Food Agency, Arief Prasetyo Adi, emphasized that the activity was a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto's direction regarding food availability.

Food assistance has been distributed 90 percent to 18.27 million Beneficiary Families. Furthermore, the SPHP Cheap Food Movement as much as 1.3 million tons will continue until December," said Arief.

The rice is sold for Rp. 11,000 per kilogram, cooking oil Rp. 15,000, and flour Rp. 10,000. The enthusiasm of the community is extraordinary. Thank you to the National Police Chief, the ranks of the Regional Police Chief, the President Director of Bulog, and all those who support it," he continued.

Meanwhile, the President Director of Perum Bulog, Major General TNI Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, conveyed Bulog's readiness to support this national program.

"Currently Bulog has a stock of 4.2 million tons of rice. A total of 1.3 million tons are allocated for SPHP, and 0.3 million tons for food assistance. We synergize with the Police, TNI, and local governments so that prices in the field can be reduced," he explained.

He emphasized the importance of the solidity of all parties in maintaining food availability, especially price affordability.

"The TNI-Polri synergy and all stakeholders in the regions will minimize price increases. With the direction of the President, we are trying our best to distribute food throughout Indonesia," said Rizal.

This Cheap Food Movement will last until August 16, 2025, with the target of distributing rice, oil, sugar, and other basic necessities throughout Indonesia at affordable prices.