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| The second session of discussion on the government's role in raskin program |
A total of 170 participants from all representatives of National Logistics Agency (Bulog) of areas throughout Indonesia Indonesia attended seminar and national meeting held by Central Bulog on the campus of University of Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM), Monday (11/14). It is a Bulog annual event. This time, the seminar was entitled "Policy Improvement and Development on Raskin Program".
UMM Vice Rector II, Drs. Mursidi, MM, also welcomed the seminar participants. According to him, in handling Raskin (beras miskin or rice for the poor, red.) and poverty alleviation, UMM has also worked with Coordinating Ministry for People’s Welfare (Menkokesra) since 2003.
"The cooperation that has been already maintained by UMM among others is in the forms of workshop, training, and active role in poverty alleviation program in Indonesia. We hope this event will produce results that are useful to the nation for the creation of a better future," he said.
According to Assistant 2 of Secretary of Economic Affairs of East Java, Ir. Adi Prasetyo, M.Si, during the year of 2011, rice has been a fairly complicated problem. It is also because of the extreme weather throughout the year. He also confirmed that people's food problem is a crucial problem that must be taken seriously.
Average rice consumption for one Indonesian citizen is more or less 130kg/year. It means Indonesia needs rice stock 52.6 million tons/year. However, data from the FAO states that by 2020 Indonesia will experience food shortages because of declining agricultural lands. Therefore, the Governor of East Java sent his message for this event.
"Firstly, it is necessary to solve not only rice problem, but also raskin price which must be cheap. Secondly, there is also a necessary in proposing intelligent thought to the central government since for 60 years rice problem has not been resolved yet. Thirdly, it needs a simulation to see effective measures that must be done," said Adi.
In addition, problem on raskin recipients still needs to be recorded over because there is discrepancy of data between the central government and the local governments. In line with the message of East Java Governor, Deputy Menkokesra of Social Protection and Public Housing Coordinating Division, Dr. Adang Setiana, M,Sc. augmented that the idea of autonomy raskin is expected to assist government programs.
"There is 40% of Indonesia's population which is considered vulnerable to raskin case. Therefore, local governments should review the targets again," he added.
There were two sessions that took place in the seminar. The first session discussed the role of government in the Raskin program that includes best practice of Boalemo local government in the implementation of raskin program by Boalemo Regent of Gorontalo Province, Dr. Ir. H. Iwan Bokings, M.M. Moreover, raskin effectiveness policy material was delivered by Ir. Lodewick Bishok from Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. Meanwhile, the role of local government in the implementation of the raskin program was reviewed from the aspect of its distribution by Ir. Agusdien Farid, M.M. from the Director of Public Service-Bulog. In addition, material on accountability of local government's role in the implementation of the raskin program was brought by Johnson Pakpahan from the Directorate of Government Oversight Agency for People's Welfare-Central BPKP.
Then, the second session discussed the local food subsidies for the poor which included program targeting through an integrated database. The material was delivered by Dr. Sri Kusumastuti Rahayu from TNP2K. Moreover, material on local food subsidies for the poor from food security aspect was presented by Dr. Ir. Tjuk Eko H. B., M.St. from the Central Chief of Food Availability and Food Insecurity-Food Security Agency (BKP) of Kementan. In addition, material on local food subsidies for the poor in terms of national development aspect was brought by Ir. Jarot Indarto, M. Sc. from the Bappenas Directorate of Food and Agriculture.
The event was closed with a reading on conclusions by the Chief of Coordinating Chief of Central Raskin and continued with Raskin Program Regional Meeting 2011 on the following day. (ren/nas/t_alf)
