JAKARTA: Responding to reports of a scarcity of rice in the market, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered the National Food Agency (Bapanas) to release stock kept by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in a move that the President deemed as “flooding the market”.
Head of Bapanas, Arief Prasetyo Adi, said the agency together with Bulog and other ministries had received the order from the President to deal with rice scarcity both in traditional and modern markets around the country.
“Currently, the stock kept at the Cipinang Central Rice Market is 34,000 tonnes and this must reach both traditional and modern markets. Once again, the order is to flood the market,” Arief told reporters after a meeting with Jokowi yesterday.
Buyers complained over the weekend about the scarcity of rice, especially the premium type which comes in five kilogramme bags. The price of the commodity has increased to between 16,000 rupiah (US$1.02) and 17,000 rupiah per bag from 13,000 rupiah. — The Jakarta Post/ANN
