Bulog Chief: Food aid distribution in Alor embodies state presence
Perum Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani has affirmed that the inaugural food aid distribution in Alor Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) serves as a demonstration of the state’s presence in guaranteeing equitable food access for all Indonesians, including those in island regions.
Rizal said the government’s presence alongside Perum Bulog in Alor is part of efforts to ensure that communities across Indonesia have equal access to food.
“Today we came directly to Alor to ensure that government food aid truly reaches the people. This is not just about distributing rice, but ensuring that the state’s presence is felt directly by the community,” Rizal said when confirmed in Jakarta on Saturday.
The Bulog president director accompanied the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman in the food aid distribution in Alor Regency. The government is ensuring that food aid distribution continues to reach communities in island regions, including Alor.
The food aid distribution in Alor Regency covers an allocation for three months — July, August, and September — with a total of 37,338 Food Aid Recipients (PBP).
“The aid being distributed is an allocation for three months, so each family will receive 30 kilograms of rice,” Rizal said.
He stressed that synergy between the central government, regional governments, Bulog, and all stakeholders is needed so that food aid can reach communities in areas with geographical challenges.
“For Bulog, no region is too remote to serve. Alor is part of Indonesia, and its people have the same right to receive attention and access to food. We will continue to ensure that food reaches the community,” Rizal asserted.
As part of the activities, food aid was also distributed to communities in several villages, including Fuisama Village with 66 PBP, Probur Village with 513 PBP, and Lembur Barat Village with 222 PBP.
“This distribution is part of the government’s efforts to ensure food aid reaches communities down to the village level,” Rizal said.
Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said the food aid distribution is part of the government’s efforts to maintain food security while providing protection to communities in need.
According to him, synergy between the central government, regional governments, and Bulog is key to ensuring the food aid programme runs effectively down to the regions.
“We want to ensure the state is present not only through policy, but through concrete action,” Amran said.
“Therefore, the government together with Bulog will continue working to ensure the food needs of communities throughout Indonesia are met,” he asserted.
He confirmed that food aid can be felt by communities across Indonesia, including island regions such as Alor.
Amran added that the government is present to ensure communities receive adequate food and the assistance to which they are entitled. No community should feel distant from government attention simply because they are located in island regions or remote areas.
“Today we came directly to Alor to ensure that food aid truly arrives and provides benefits to the community,” Amran said.