Fri, 24 Mar 2000

Rizal Ramli to lead Bulog

JAKARTA (JP): Rizal Ramli, Managing Director of Econit economic research institute, confirmed on Thursday he had accepted President Abdurrahman Wahid's offer to lead the National Logistics Agency (Bulog).

Rizal told reporters he would be installed next week to replace Trade and Industry Minister Jusuf Kalla who is now concurrently acting as the chief of Bulog.

The President, Rizal said, tasked him to stabilize the rice price and clean up the agency from collusion, corruption and cronysm.

Bulog has of late been under fire for its failure to supporting the government-mandated rice floor price during the current harvest season.

Farmers in many provinces, strapped for cash to settle bank debts and meet other needs, have been facing a market glut and are often forced to sell to as low as half of the floor prices as Bulog has yet to make significant procurement for the national stockpiles. (prb)