REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Rice distribution during market operations conducted by state-owned logistics firm Bulog through the Cipinang Rice Market in Jakarta from November 21, 2015, until now has reached 53 thousand tons.
Director of Operations and Public Service Bulog Suparyono stated while overseeing the market operations at the Cipinang Rice Market on Tuesday that market operations are being conducted to stabilize the price of medium-category rice, which has increased to over Rp nine thousand per kilogram (kg).
"We have prepared 75 thousand tons of rice for market operations in Jakarta. As of today, 53 thousand tons of rice has already been distributed through the Cipinang Rice Market," he noted.
He was accompanied by Commercial Director of Bulog Fazri Sentosa, Chairman of the Traders Association of Rice and Rice Milling (Perpadi) for Jakarta Nellys Soekidi, and Director of Food Station Cipinang Arief Adi Prasetyo.
According to Suparyono, the market operations were not only conducted in Jakarta but also in 26 regional Bulog divisions throughout Indonesia. Some 25 thousand tons of rice was made available for distribution in these divisions.
He said the monitoring results revealed that the national rice prices remained relatively stable despite slight fluctuation.
However, he added that Bulog continued to conduct market operations to ensure adequate supply of rice ahead of Christmas and New Year.
"People should not harbor concerns, especially during Christmas and New Year, so that consumption is maintained, and they could celebrate these special days in peace," he affirmed.
He said market operations would continue until the price of medium-quality rice became stable at around Rp8,300 per kg in accordance with the price at which Bulog sold rice to the public.