TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Herman Khaeron, deputy chairman of House of Representatives’ Commission IV overseeing agriculture, food, forestry, plantations, fisheries and maritime affairs, called on the government to reinforce the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and integrate it with the National Food Resiliency Agency.

According to Herman, the government only needs to upgrade Bulog to the Food Resiliency Agency, so that it will have more authority to stabilize food prices.

“By integrating Bulog with the Food Resiliency Agency, it will not only serve as an operator, but also a food decision maker,” Herman said in Jakarta on Sunday, November 29, 2015.

Herman explained that the formation of the National Food Resiliency Agency was in accordance with Law No. 18/2002 on Food. The law mandates a formation of a food authority agency (BOP), which is Bulog, with the Food Resilience Agency (BKP) that operates under the Agriculture Ministry’s supervision.

Herman said that such a scheme would be possible since Bulog was the only food agency with wide coverage in Indonesia.

“As a non-ministerial food institution (LPNK), Bulog will be entitled with a fund allocation from the State Budget, so that it would have more authorities in managing its budget,” he said.

Bulog president director Djarot Kusumayakti said that the government would soon provide a legal basis to reinforce Bulog’s role in stabilizing food prices.

“Bulog’s authority must be improved, so that it will serve its function as price stabilizer,” Djarot said on Saturday, November 28, 2015.

ANTARA