Bulog Explores Purchasing Rice Bags from Malaysia
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - State-owned company PT Perum Bulog is reportedly exploring the purchase of plastic bags for rice from producers in Malaysia.
Special Staff to the Minister of Agriculture for Government Policy, Sam Herodian, stated that his team, along with Bulog’s leadership, recently explored rice exports to Malaysia.
The meeting was attended by Malaysian plastic producers and suppliers.
“So directly, because at that time the delegation was with Bulog, they immediately made a deal, you know, deal-making like that,” said Sam during a discussion held by the Government Communication Agency at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, on Monday (20/4/2026).
According to Sam, the bags are not only used for packaging but also for storing rice without the need for chemicals.
“In large-scale storage, it can have a zipper, reusable multiple times. Well, it can last up to 2 years without fumigation or special treatment,” said Sam.
Nevertheless, he added, Bulog has not yet signed a transaction for purchasing the plastic from Malaysia to date.
“Not yet, not yet. It’s still just exploration. Meaning we have other sources,” he said.
As is known, the rise in plastic prices is felt by industry players, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Plastic prices have surged due to 70 percent of naphtha supplies originating from Gulf countries being disrupted as a result of the war in West Asia (Middle East).
President Director of PT ID Food, Ghimoyo, once complained about the plastic issue during a Working Meeting with Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI).
According to him, business actors, including SOEs, are facing packaging difficulties because plastic producers are experiencing raw material shortages.
“This is more crucial because it affects all food, all fertiliser, all rice using plastic sacks, then kilo packaging, cooking oil packaging also using the same material,” said Ghimoyo at the DPR RI, Tuesday (7/4/2026).