Ombudsman: There is a Potential for Maladministration

Available indicators do not support the urgency to import one million tons of rice. Importing rice should be backed by strong reasoning because it affects tens of millions of rice farmer households.

KOMPAS/KRISTI DWI UTAMI

Rice stock at the Bulog Warehouse, Pekalongan Branch, Munjungagung Village, Kramat District, Tegal Regency, Central Java, Tuesday (23/3/2021). To date, around 2,000 tons of rice imported from Vietnam, Thailand and India in 2018 are still piled up in six warehouses belonging to the Pekalongan Branch of Bulog, including the Bulog Munjungagung Warehouse.

JAKARTA, KOMPAS – The Ombudsman sees the potential for maladministration in the government’s decision to import one million tons rice this year. Available indicators, such as domestic production and prices, do not support the urgency for rice imports.

On another occasion, Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi refused to comment on the Ombudsman’s result.