Corruption at Bulog

Corruption at Bulog

From Merdeka

Apparently, the various criticisms against corrupt government officials have passed unheeded. Likewise the complaints against manipulators in rice imports.

Corruption and manipulations at the National Logistics Agency (Bulog) was already happening before Bustanil Arifin became the strongest man in the agency.

If the Attorney General's Office is now investigating incidents of manipulation and corruption at Bulog, it is because of the many reports from the community. I also know there is manipulation of prices of imported rice purchased by Bulog. Over the years, the amount must have grown into trillions of rupiah.

We also know that not only are the high officials at Bulog wealthy, a number of people acting as intermediaries abroad have also struck it rich. In Bangkok, for example, there is an Indonesian of Dutch/Indonesian parentage living as a Thai national and married to a Thai woman, who is known as a rich man in the city living in opulence. He has acquired wealth thanks to commissions paid by rice importers.

We know that the money is the result of price mark-ups by Bulog officials. For example, with a mark-up of US$10 per metric ton, imagine how much money is gained, while the Indonesian people suffer because of the higher rice prices.

Those who have taken state money on the sly should be heavily penalized. Their wealth should be confiscated for the state and the people.

H.G. MALIKMASS

Ciputat, West Java