Commission C of the Jakarta City Council held a working meeting with three regional-owned enterprises (BUMD) in the food sector, namely PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, Perumda Pasar Jaya, and Perumda Dharma Jaya.

Secretary of Commission C, Ismail, said the meeting aimed to evaluate the performance of the BUMD under the coordination of the Food Security, Maritime Affairs, and Agriculture Agency (KPKP) in dealing with the dynamics of food security in the capital.

The food sector is currently facing various challenges, both internal and external. Nevertheless, Commission C commends the steps taken by BUMDs for mapping potential and preparing anticipatory strategies.

"We see that BUMD have been able to map potential and develop strategies to maintain stock stability. This is crucial because it significantly impacts price stability," he said, Tuesday (4/28).

In addition to maintaining supply, BUMD have also begun developing business diversification strategies to improve financial performance.

"Diversification is important so that BUMD does not only rely on one line of business, but also strengthens overall financial performance," he added.

Commission C, along with the Food Station, also discussed the issue of rice prices amid significant increases in the price of unhusked rice. This situation is considered to have created a discrepancy between the continuously rising Government Purchase Price (HPP) and the Highest Retail Price (HET) policy set by the central government.

"If the HPP is higher than the HET, this is certainly a problem. BUMD cannot purchase unhusked rice at a high price and then sell it below it without incurring a loss," he continued.

Therefore, Commission C encourages an evaluation of the HET policy to be more realistic and not burden food-BUMD.

While waiting for certainty regarding the HET adjustment, Ismail continued, Food Station has also begun preparing alternative steps to maintain financial performance, one of which is by optimizing rice sales through the Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) program.

Food Station will maximize sales of rice in large packages, such as 25 kilograms to 50 kilograms, to reduce packaging and distribution costs in traditional markets. This step is part of a cross-subsidy strategy to maintain the company's financial health and maintain public purchasing power.

"This program has sufficient margin, so it can be a kind of cross-subsidy to support BUMD finances," he stated.