Rice prices up, traders ask for market operation

Rice traders have asked the government to launch a market operation to stop the current rice price increase.

Kompas.com reported Sunday that the price of rice had soared by between Rp 200 and Rp 700 (8 U.S. cents) a kilogram.

"There is no market operation so far. I heard the operation would be held in mid-January, " Kholik, 28, a trader in Pasar Minggu, said.  

Another trader, Andi, 35, concurred. "We just want the rice price to be stable."