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)