BONSERNEWS.com – The Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, admitted that he refused to allow 10,000 tons of imported rice to be brought by Perum Bulog to his territory.
Responding to this, Member of Commission IV of the DPR RI in charge of Agriculture and the Food Agency, Firman Soebagyo appreciated the decision with the hope that decisions taken by the Governor of Bali could be followed by other regional heads.
“I support the governor of Bali’s courage in refusing imported rice to enter his territory and I hope that other provinces or their regional heads have the courage to do the same,” Firman told reporters, Tuesday, May 23, 2023.
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However, the Deputy Chairperson of the Golkar Party reminded, if the origin of the refusal is really that in his area there is already sufficient food because in the Basic Law that food must be provided by the state because food is a basic need and a human right.
“If indeed there is a surplus and sufficient, it must also be rejected because if it is accepted, it will erode the enthusiasm of farmers to continue farming,” said Firman.
Also Read: Governor of Bali Rejects 10 Tons of Rice Imports Brought by Bulog
Firman also explained that the spirit in Food Law No. 18 of 2012 states that food needs must be available and prioritize domestic products, meaning that the staple food needs for rice must come from local farmers, not from imports. What’s more, if the local government has guaranteed, as in Bali, that there is a surplus, there will be no more reasons for imported rice stocks.
“The government should understand the spirit of the Food Law and not just distribute it without coordinating with the local government,” explained this member of the Baleg DPR RI.
For this reason, Firman deeply regretted that the government’s performance seemed to be going their separate ways without coordination in this matter. “I also regret that the Food Agency’s enthusiasm does not match the mandate and spirit of the Food Law as the executor of the Law must read and understand the Food Law,” said the legislator for the Central Java III electoral district, which includes Pati, Rembang and Grobogan. ()