Food shortages in Tangerang

Food shortages in Tangerang

TANGERANG (JP): Eight subdistricts in Tangerang mayoralty have
been classified as being prone to food shortages, an official of
the mayoralty said on Thursday.

Harry Mulya Zein, spokesman of the mayoralty, identified the
eight subdistricts as Jatiuwung, Batuceper, Periuk, Neglasari,
Pinang, Cipondoh, Tanah Tinggi and Karawaci.

He said that in order to overcome food shortages, the
mayoralty had sent a letter to the State Logistics Agency
(Bulog), requesting it conduct market operations in the eight
subdistricts.

"The letter was sent three months ago, but until now there
hasn't been any response," he said. Under Bulog market
operations, a kilogram of rice sells for only Rp 1,000, far below
the market price of between Rp 2,000 and Rp 5,000.

He said Bulog once turned down a similar request on the
grounds that the mayoralty had received an award from the
minister of population/chairman of the National Family Planning
Board in 1996, declaring the mayoralty a poor-family free area.

He said the mayoralty's short-term program to help people in
the eight subdistricts was to set up an information system to
monitor and give emergency aid.

"We hope residents will give information about those hit by
food shortages," he added.

Tangerang regent Agus Djunara said Bulog had sold 424 tons of
rice at Rp 1,000 per kilogram in 14 villages throughout the
regency.

Agus said the regency had also set aside Rp 100 million of its
budget to help people through the food crisis. (41/jun)