Ministers claim food security for Christmas
Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Thu, 12/22/2011 11:59 AM
Logistics check: Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa (from left), Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan and Agriculture Minister Suswono, talk to a vegetable seller at the Klender traditional market in East Jakarta on Thursday. Hatta said that the government has secured the logistics to meet food demands during the Christmas period and was keeping prices of food stocks in check. (Antara/M. Agung Rajasa)Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa claims that the government has secured logistics to meet food demands during Christmas and is keeping prices of food stocks in check.
“We have 1.7 million tons of rice stock until the end of the year. This is more than enough,” Hatta said during a visit to a State Logistics Agency (Bulog) warehouse in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, on Thursday.
Hatta also dismissed media reports saying there were rice scarcities in Maluku and Papua.
“There is no scarcity in Indonesia. What is happening is a lack of transportation,” he said.
Other than visiting the Bulog warehouse, Hatta, along with Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan and Agriculture Minister Suswono, also visited numerous traditional markets, including the Cipinang main market.
A vendor at the Cipinang main market protested against rising food prices despite the ministers’ success claims about keeping food prices stable.
The vendor, Mila, said onion prices had climbed by at least 50 percent to Rp 12,000 (US$1.2) per kilogram from Rp 8,000.
