Joining the chorus of opposition to the plan was Budi Waseso, president director of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), the very agency tasked by the government with implementing the rice-importation policy.

In a hearing with Bulog on Monday, lawmakers on House Commission IV overseeing agriculture, forestry and fisheries demanded the government buy rice from local farmers, who will begin harvesting in April.

“We call on the government to prioritize buying local products and we as Commission IV reject the plan to import 1 million tons of rice,” said Commission IV deputy chairman Hasan Aminudin.

Responding to the demand, Budi said that in all likelihood he would not implement the import plan and would only prioritize buying rice from local farmers.

“There’s no guarantee that we will implement the decision although it is our job to import the 1 million tons of rice. We will prioritize buying from locals and now we’re in the harvest season,” the Bulog head said as quoted by Antara.

This is not the first time Bulog has sparred with the Trade Ministry over rice imports. In September 2018, Budi fought back against a recommendation from then trade minister Enggartiasto Lukito to import 2 million tons of rice for the year.

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