Rizal Ramli to lead Bulog

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)