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House to set up team to monitor rice import policy
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House of Representatives Commission VI chairman Teguh Juwarno (left) talks to reporters after a meeting with government representatives on Jan. 18 in Jakarta. Lawmakers have questioned the government's recent decision to import rice. (JP/srs)
T
he House of Representatives plans to set up a team to oversee the government's decision to import rice to ease market prices, which farmers have protested will lower the commodity's farm-level price ahead of the coming harvest season.
Teguh Juwarno, chairman of House Commission VI overseeing the trade sector, said on Thursday in Jakarta that the commission would establish a team to ensure that the policy would not impact the farmers' interests.
"We need to know that the [planned] import is only to strengthen the rice stock, and not for the interests of a few people," Teguh said.
The commission established the team after meeting with Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita, State Logistics Agency (Bulog) president director Djarot Kusumayakti, state trading firm PT Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PT PP) president director Agus Andiyani and the State-Owned Enterprises Ministry's deputy for industrial, agriculture and pharmacy affairs, Wahyu Kuncoro.
Tegung said that the team would consist of party faction representatives on Commission VI. “The tasks of the members includes checking the rice stock at warehouses and oversee the shipments of imported rice at ports," he said.
During the meeting, lawmakers criticized the lack of reliable data on rice production that has triggered the sudden decision to import rice. Lawmakers also questioned the government’s decision to assign the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) to import the 500,000 tons of rice, instead of PT PP. (srs/bbn)
