Logistics body told to open rice outlets in markets
Logistics body told to open rice outlets in markets
JAKARTA (JP): City councilors urged the local logistic agency
(Dolog Jaya) yesterday to open temporary rice outlets in 24
markets to control rising prices.
Councilors Djafar Badjeber and Suryo Susilo said yesterday
that market crackdowns were not enough to control manipulative
action by speculators in the markets.
Dolog Jaya outlets could also supervise the flow of rice in a
bid to stop traders from selling agency rice to their regional
counterparts, the councilors said.
"In short, the outlets could stabilize the price and stop
speculators," Djafar, head of Commission B for economic affairs,
said.
The councilors were commenting on reports Saturday that the
price of rice supplied by Dolog Jaya at Cipinang market in East
Jakarta was sold for between Rp 1,050 (21 US cents) and Rp 1,200
per kilogram -- significantly higher than the agency's ceiling of
Rp 960 per kilogram.
According to a rice wholesaler in Cipinang, Zulkifli, the DN
Jatim strain which is priced at Rp 925 per kilogram was sold for
Rp 1,250, while the Pakistani strain sold for between Rp 1,000
and Rp 1,200 instead of Rp 860 per kilogram. The Thai strain sold
for between Rp 960 and Rp 1,000 rather than the set price of Rp
900 per kilogram.
Zulkifli said the logistic agency's rice did not sell well in
local markets because of its poor quality.
"That's why I often sell and exchange Dolog Jaya rice with
traders from outside Jakarta."
Some traders even mix the agency's rice with high-grade
strains.
Another Cipinang trader, Ida, said she mixed rice strains
because "it will be more saleable".
Councilor Suryo said the City Council had reminded Dolog Jaya
that the monetary crisis would prompt traders to boost the price
of the rice here.
"I hope Dolog Jaya won't wait until the price goes even
higher."
He said the agency needed to act in order to stop prices from
skyrocketing ahead of the Ramadhan fasting month and Idul Fitri.
Councilor Djafar suggested Dolog Jaya cooperate with the City
Land Transportation Agency (DLLAJ) to monitor the flow of rice.
"The agency, for example, could forbid trucks carrying rice
from going to another city."
Djafar said that rice stock in the city should always be kept
stable otherwise unrest would follow.
He said he also suspected some Dolog Jaya personnel of
engaging in speculation for their own benefit.
"Dolog Jaya should also tighten its internal control."
An official from Jakarta Economic Development Agency
(Binekda), Djodjo Sutardjo, said Dolog Jaya had supplied 200,000
tons of rice since last month. The reserve is expected to last
for three months.
The head of Binekda, Sanjoyo, said earlier that it was no
secret there was a leak in rice distribution.
"Some 10 to 20 percent of rice goes directly to wholesalers
without being checked by Dolog Jaya first."
He said it was hard to control the leak because transactions
between brokers could happen anywhere along the route. (edt/ind)