The Jakarta Provincial Government Admits Premium Rice Stocks in Jakarta Are Low, Here's Why

Illustration of rice (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Head of the Jakarta Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture Agency (DKPKP), Hasudungan Sidabalok, admitted that premium rice stocks in Jakarta are running low. Premium rice stocks are often out of stock at minimarkets.

Hasudungan admitted that one of the causes is the adulterated rice case involving PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, a Jakarta-owned enterprise (BUMD) that manages food supplies.

"So, that was also triggered by the adulterated rice issue yesterday," Hasudungan told reporters on Tuesday, September 2.

Furthermore, the National Police Food Task Force has confiscated Food Station's rice production and processing equipment as evidence in the case of distributing substandard rice.

"As far as I know, (Food Station's rice production equipment) has not been returned. That's also probably why it's difficult to find rice," Hasudungan said.

Furthermore, another factor contributing to the dwindling availability of premium rice in Jakarta is the rising price of unhusked rice at the farmer level.

"So, the supply has also decreased somewhat. Many rice sellers and distributors have stopped operating," said Hasudungan.

However, Hasudungan projects that the availability of premium rice will gradually return to normal in the near future.

On the other hand, Hasudungan emphasized that the general rice stock, especially the availability of affordable rice, is currently sufficient for the next two months.

Currently, rice stocks have reached 303,000 tons, distributed across the Cipinang Rice Main Market, distributors, traditional markets, and modern markets.

"Specifically for the subsidized food, as I mentioned earlier, starting tomorrow, it will be available. There are no shortages of subsidized food," explained Hasudungan.