About Rice Imports, PDI-P: Smudges the Face of President Jokowi Campaigning for Love of Domestic Products Page all

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Import policy rice one million tonnes in 2021 will reap polemics and criticism, including from parties supporting the government, PDI-P.

Secretary General (Sekjen) DPP PDI-P Hasto Kristiyanto said his party openly rejects the policy rice imports.

According to him, this policy will become a burden to the President Jokowi who is currently campaigning for the domestic production love movement.

“Forcing rice imports unilaterally, is not only against President Jokowi’s food politics, but tarnishes the face of President Jokowi, who has recently campaigned for the love of domestic production movement,” said Hasto in his statement, Monday (22/3/2021).

Also read: Regarding the Rice Import Plan, Chairman of PP Muhammadiyah Criticizes the Government

He explained various reasons the PDI-P firmly rejected the rice import policy.

First, he said, since one year ago the PDI-P had spearheaded the planting of rice companion crops by party structural officials, executives and party legislatures.

Through this movement, PDI-P encourages people to plant crops that thrive in the archipelago, such as sago, cassava, tubers, corn, bananas, taro, porang and breadfruit.

“The archipelago is so rich in various kinds of food, horticultural wealth, that is supposed to make minister of commerce believes that rice imports are not necessary, “he said.

The PDI-P politician also said that the decision of the minister of trade regarding rice imports was also very inappropriate considering that the national economy was under pressure due to the pandemic.

In fact, Hasto assessed that this decision would waste the country’s foreign exchange. Because, he assessed that Indonesia is still capable of producing rice.

“In a situation of economic contraction like today, it is important to save the country’s foreign exchange,” he said.

Also read: Reject Rice Import Plan, PSI RI Rice Stock Value Still Safe

For this reason, PDI-P encourages food diversification and invites all sympathizers, members and party cadres to improve national food security independently of the community.

Hasto said party cadres were also given the task to set an example and invite sympathizers and the wider community to consciously reduce their dependence on rice consumption.

“So that the consumption of rice which is replaced by other foods is around 5 percent. This amount seems trivial, but it will reduce the national demand by the equivalent of 1.5 million tons,” he said.

“If this happens, then Indonesia has the opportunity to become a rice exporter. This method is much more respectable and will be able to increase the dignity of the nation,” he said.

Hasto is of the opinion that the rice import policy is the result of an overly pragmatic way of thinking that perpetuates dependence on imports.

On the other hand, he considers that a new way of thinking is needed accompanied by strategic and consistent steps so that Indonesia can reverse the situation, namely from being an importer to an exporter of rice.

Also read: Gaduh Imports of Rice, Minister of Trade Lutfi Puts Up: Blame Me

Previously reported, Minister of Commerce Muhammad Lutfi revealed that the government needs to import rice to maintain national rice stocks and stabilize prices.

Although it is predicted that there will be an increase in rice production from January to April 2021, Lutfi said this was just a prediction.

According to Lutfi, there may still be an increase or decrease in rice production given the recent high rainfall conditions in a number of regions in Indonesia.

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