Press Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia at Inspection of the State Logistics Agency’s (Bulog) Warehouse in East Rawang, Padang, West Sumatra province, October 25, 2023

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
Well, West Sumatra province records a rice production surplus, as previously state by the Governor. Nevertheless, (rice) reserves still must be ensured. For that reason, as we have witnessed earlier, there are abundant (rice) reserve in Bulog warehouse.

Secondly, it is regarding food assistance in form of rice package distributed in September, October, November. I have checked it on the ground that some beneficiaries have received the assistance once, while some other twice. I guess in November all beneficiaries will receive the third assistance. We will distribute it again in December. In addition, to anticipate Super El Niño and prevent it to weaken people’s purchasing power, we will distribute El Niño cash assistance in November and December, Rp200,000 for each month. The total would be Rp400,000. That’s all.

Journalist
Mr. President, earlier in the morning you have just installed Andi Amran Sulaiman as Minister of Agriculture. Can you elaborate your grounds for reappointment of Andi?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
He can work right after since he was a Minister of Agriculture. So, he doesn’t need to learn about the job, bureaucracy, and to be introduced to the ministry’s directors general. He can work right after inauguration. His task is speeding up realization of rice production to reach the target; you can ask the target to Amran Sulaiman. It is because abundant production is the only way to lower rice price.

Journalist
Mr. President, what do you think lessons that we can learn from the upcoming general elections?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko Widodo)
My job is working for the Government. We do hope for smooth, peaceful, and secure elections in all provinces. I have repeated it over and over again. Thank you.

Journalist
Thank you, Sir.

(RAS/EP)