Head Of Bapanas Calls Bulog Rice Oplators Are Traders And Distributors

Head of Badanas Arief Prasetyo Adi. (Photo: Mery Handayani/VOI)

Head of the National Food Agency Arief Prasetyo Adi said the perpetrators of mixing and repackaging of Bulog's market operations rice were distributors and traders.

As is known, the Banten Police Task Force arrested seven suspects who mixed and repackaged Bulog rice on Friday, February 10.

Arief said, the distributor or trader sells Bulog market operating rice above the highest retail price (HET) to above Rp. 12,000 per kilogram (kg).

Arief said, if there are parties who deliberately take advantage of the distribution of Bulog rice by selling rice above HET, it has entered the realm of violation of the law.

"Distributors or traders who sell Bulog rice outside the provisions of the price are subject to violations of the law," he said in an official statement, Sunday, February 12.

He admitted that there needs to be firm action or law enforcement measures against traders or distributors who abuse Perum Bulog rice.

The reason is, the case makes the purpose of distributing Bulog to stabilize supply and prices at the consumer level, not achieved.

"What the Food Task Force friends did by making arrests, I think it was right to provide a deterrent effect," he said.

Regarding the arrest of seven people in Benten, said Arief, his party appreciated the Food Task Force.

He also asked the Food Task Force to support supervision to be carried out more massively to ensure that rice for the Stabilization of Food Supply and Price (SPHP) or market operations can really be reached by the public at a price according to HET.

"We have repeatedly emphasized that the rice disbursed by Bulog to the market is aimed at stabilizing supply and prices at the consumer level," he said.

Arief said the price had been clearly set, for the areas of Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), and Sulawesi prices in Bulog warehouses of Rp. 8,300 per kg, in the main market or large market of Rp. 8,900 per kg, and in small markets or other traders Rp. 9,450 per kg.