Statement of President of the Republic of Indonesia related to Rice Imports, Friday, 26 March 2021, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta

Journalist

Sir, could you tell us about the Government’s definitive decision on rice imports this year?

President of the Republic of Indonesia (Joko “Jokowi” Widodo)

I assure you that until June 2021, no imported rice will enter our country, Indonesia. As you may be aware that the country has not imported rice during the past three years. There is indeed a Memorandum of Understanding with Thailand and Vietnam, but it only serves as a backup plan given the pandemic has caused many uncertainties.

Let me reiterate that no imported rice has entered the country. I ensure that the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) will absorb rice from our farmers. I will immediately order Minister of Finance to help with the budget. I am aware that we are entering the harvest season and farm-level prices of rice have not met our expectation. To that end, I urge that the debate related to rice imports be stopped since it may cause farm-level prices for unhusked rice to drop.