Imported Rice Case Can Become Explosive Issue in 2014

Jakarta (Antara) - The problem of imported rice from Vietnam has the potential to become an explosive political issue in 2014, according to a legislator. "Moreover, 2014 is the year of politics, as the country gears up to hold the legislative and presidential elections," Firman Subagyok, deputy chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR)'s Commission VI, stated here on Monday. He noted that the circulation of imported medium category rice from Vietnam can become a hot political issue in the current year of politics. Firman, who is also a Golkar Party politician, remarked that the problem of the imported rice from Vietnam can turn into a volatile issue, as rice is a commodity, which is of key interest to the masses. He pointed out that the imported rice issue should not be used as a political ammunition to malign those in power. "Instead, it should be resolved to offer a sense of certainty to the people on the government's policy regarding rice," he claimed. It is alleged that about 16.9 thousand tons of medium category rice imported from Vietnam have flooded the market. It was considered illegal because rice belonging to the medium category cannot be imported by anyone apart from Bulog, the state-owned logistics agency. The Ministry of Trade noted that it had issued permits for the import of 16.9 thousand tons of premium category rice based on a recommendation put forth by the Ministry of Agriculture, yet rice circulating in the market was of the medium category. After all, the Ministry of Agriculture has denied issuing a recommendation for the import of the rice. "Today, we have sent a letter to the Ministry of Trade seeking clarifications," Agriculture Minister Suswono remarked on Wednesday last week. (*)