DPR Summons Trade Minister Following Rice Import Debacle  

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) Trade Commission today summoned Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita for a hearing regarding the rice import policy.

Head of Trade Commission Teguh Juwarno said that the hearing will be held to discuss the 500,000-ton rice import.

“It will also talk about price fluctuation of rice,” said Teguh at the Commission VI meeting room today. Teguh said that the polemic on imported rice arose as a result of the government’s lack of maintaining the rice supply chain.

Enggartiasto Lukita was present in the meeting accompanied by several Director Generals of the Trade Ministry. There was also, President Director of the national logistics agency (Bulog) Djarot Kusumayakti and representatives of the state trading firm PPI.

Previously reported, in order to overcome the increasing price of medium-grade rice, the Trade Ministry decide to import rice from Vietnam and Thailand through Bulog.

According to Enggartiasto, the imported rice will enter Indonesia before the peak harvest season in February-March. However, the Agriculture Ministry questioned Enggartiasto’s move and stated that the national rice supply is more than enough to supply the country’s needs.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO