President Observes Launching Of Rice Operations

Jakarta, Feb 25 (Antara) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) will monitor the simultaneous launching of rice for the poor (Rasikin) distribution and rice market operations in Jakarta on Wednesday. Based on schedule, the President will arrive at state logistics board Bulog Warehouse in North Jakarta at 10.30 a.m. Before the president's arrival at the Bulog warehouse in Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan, North Jakarta, a number of ministers had been waiting for him and his entourage. Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said the government would conduct market operations to distribute 300 thousand tons of rice across the country. "We will distribute 1,600 tons in Jakarta and its satellite towns of Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi (Jabodetabek)," the trade minister said. He said that the Jakarta market operations would be followed with the distribution of 300 thousand tons of rice across the country. "This is based on the order of Vice President Jusuf Kalla." Gobel said the rice market operations were conducted to maintain the stability of rice price at the same level as the one decided by the government. He said that his ministry also cooperated with the military and police who would supervise the rice market operations so that rice distribution would not be leaked. "Firm actions will be taken against those who are found to hoard rice. We have sent signals for that purpose because we are serious," the minister stressed. The government will distribute Raskin to the poor with a price of Rp1,600 per kg and with a price of Rp7,400 per kg for those distributed for market operations.