Rice stocks enough: Hartarto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister of Production and
\nDistribution Hartarto strongly dismissed yesterday rumors that
\nthe country would soon face rice shortages.<\/p>\n
"We have enough rice stocks for this year and even for coming
\nyears. We are continuing to procure rice and we will import if
\nour supply is not adequate," Hartarto said after meeting with
\nSoeharto at the latter's residence on Jl. Cendana, Central
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Hartarto was accompanied by Minister of
\nIndustry and Trade Tunky Ariwibowo and chief of the State
\nLogistics Agency (Bulog) Beddu Amang.<\/p>\n
Many people have complained about the spiraling prices of
\ndaily essentials, especially rice and cooking oil. Some merchants
\nhave said people would only buy imported rice as a last resort
\ndue to its low quality.<\/p>\n
Hartarto was optimistic that Bulog would be able to purchase
\nmore rice from farmers because harvests would likely start in
\nApril.<\/p>\n
"We will do our best to secure an adequate supply of the nine
\nbasic needs," Hartarto said.<\/p>\n
According to the government, the nine basic needs comprise
\nsalt, sugar, cooking oil, kerosene, rice, salted fish, detergent,
\ntextiles and unbleached textiles.<\/p>\n
Beddu said Bulog's rice stocks would not dip below 1.7 million
\ntons through March.<\/p>\n
This year's harvest would yield more rice than last year, he
\npredicted.<\/p>\n
The yield of unhusked rice was only 49.3 million tons last
\nyear. Bulog expected at least 53 million tons this year.<\/p>\n
He said the agency would be able to supply a sufficient amount
\nof rice throughout the country at reasonable prices.<\/p>\n
"Our rice imports also continue to flow in," he remarked.<\/p>\n
The government has announced that it will import up to 2
\nmillion tons of rice by March, mostly from Thailand and Vietnam.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Thai Rice Exporters' Association Vorapong
\nPitchpongsa told Reuters last week that Indonesia would buy
\n800,000 tons of rice this year.<\/p>\n
"As of December, we have imported 441,000 tons of rice," Beddu
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
In accordance with the new International Monetary Fund (IMF)
\nreform package agreed to on Jan. 15, the government has
\neliminated Bulog's monopoly to import wheat, wheat flour,
\nsoybean, garlic and sugar. Bulog's monopoly is now limited to
\nrice.<\/p>\n
"We will establish the Bulog Foundation, a new company. This
\nfoundation is totally private in its operations and funding,"
\nBeddu pointed out.<\/p>\n
He said the government would arrange the procurement of
\nessential foodstuffs without violating its commitment with the
\nIMF. (prb)<\/p>",
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