Rice aid goes rotten

Rice aid goes rotten

PADANG, West Sumatra: A contribution of at least 16.5 metric
tons of rice sent by the State Ministry of Food and Horticulture
was found rotten in several district offices, an official said.

The rotten rice was not taken away as of Tuesday as further
instruction was anticipated.

Pauh village chief in Painan district, Suardi M.T., said
residents badly needed the rice, since they were hit by food
shortages. "But several families returned the rice as it was
rotten," Suardi said.

Darisman, chief of the branch of the National Logistics Agency
in Painan, said that the rice was low quality and therefore
decayed only after a few days in storage.

"The district officials stored the rice for more than a week,
so it was already spoiled when they distributed it," Darisman
said.

It was not clear whether officials would provide fresh rice
for the residents. (28/edt)