State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir speaking with a local while inspecting stocks of SPHP rice at a modern retail market in Jakarta on Monday (February 12, 2024). (ANTARA/Benardy Ferdiansyah)

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The current global geopolitical situation, marked by armed conflicts in several regions, is among the reasons behind the increase in the prices of rice, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir observed on Monday.

“Why are the prices increasing? Because the world is currently in a geopolitical condition that is marked with wars, including one involving our besieged brothers in Gaza (Palestine). This is what is happening,” he said at a modern market in Jakarta.

He emphasized that Indonesia is not the only country that is facing rising rice prices, noting that the prices of food commodities have been increasing globally.

“An increase in rice prices is not occurring solely in Indonesia, as the whole world is facing the same problem,” he added.

Therefore, he added, the government has taken several measures to deal with the issue, including by distributing rice allocated for the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) Program.

According to Thohir, state-run logistics company Bulog has distributed a total of 220 thousand tons of SPHP rice in 2024 and will distribute an additional 250 thousand tons of rice.

“The government will distribute 250 thousand tons of SPHP rice to placate anxiety among the public. We can guarantee that the stocks of rice will suffice since we are still storing 1.2 million tons, and we will receive an addition of 500 thousand tons,” he informed.

He further said that the government has been distributing 10 kilograms of rice aid to a target of 22 million families.

“The government is present to distribute 10 kilograms of rice to a total of 22 million families. Such a program can only be found in Indonesia,” he added.

As per the plan, the rice aid distribution period started in January and will conclude in June 2024. However, the government decided to pause the distribution on February 8 in view of the General Elections.

The distribution will resume on February 15, one day after Election Day.

Published Date: February 12, 2024