October 16, 2025 | 03:32 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Director of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, affirmed there are no current discussions about merging the agency with the National Food Agency (Bapanas) to form a new ministry.
"There is none. Bapanas is now overseen by the Minister of Agriculture," Rizal stated on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at Menara Bank Mega in Jakarta.
Rizal noted that since Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman concurrently serves as the Head of Bapanas, inter-agency communication has significantly improved due to the unified command structure. He mentioned attending an integrated meeting shortly after the handover of duties and Amran’s inauguration as the Head of Bapanas.
Rizal’s statement was a response to an earlier proposal from House of Representatives Commission IV member Firman Soebagyo. Firman had suggested strengthening Bulog and elevating its status to the level of a ministry by merging it with Bapanas.
According to him, establishing a consolidated food ministry would grant the agency independence in distributing essential commodities, such as rice, without being hindered by excessive bureaucracy. “The head of the National Food Agency and the head of Bulog should be one. If necessary, they should be made into the Ministry of Food and Bulog,” Firman told Tempo on October 10, 2025.
In response to this legislative input, Minister of the State Secretariat Prasetyo Hadi confirmed that the government would study proposals regarding Bulog’s status, including raising it back to a ministry or agency, as it was during former President Soeharto's era. During that administration, Bulog was a separate body responsible for controlling rice prices and maintaining national reserves. Its status was officially changed to a state-owned enterprise in 2003.
"We will review it first," Prasetyo said after a limited meeting at President Prabowo Subianto's residence on Jalan Kertanegara IV, South Jakarta, on October 12, 2025.
However, Prasetyo reassured the public that the government is committed to strengthening Bulog. He stated that the agency has achieved the highest rice absorption in its history, and the government has decided to provide it with additional funds.
"So that in anticipation, if our production is abundant, both rice and corn, it can also be absorbed by Bulog," Prasetyo explained. He concluded: "The essence is let's all work hard to ensure that the most important thing is food first. If our food is secure, our stomachs are secure, then everything else should be secure as well."
Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the report
Editor’s Choice: Indonesia's Agriculture Ministry, Bulog Focus on Improving Rice Storage Management
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesian Govt to Reassign Arief Prasetyo Adi After Removal as Bapanas Head
3 hari lalu
Arief Prasetyo Adi will be reassigned to another position after being dismissed as the Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) on October 9th.
The Reason Prabowo Appointed Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman as Head of Bapanas
3 hari lalu
A detailed explanation given by the State Secretary Minister, Prasetyo Hadi, regarding Prabowo's decision to appoint Minister of Agriculture, Amran Sulaiman, to also hold the position as the Head of Bapanas.
Indonesia's Agriculture Ministry, Bulog Focus on Improving Rice Storage Management
3 hari lalu
Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi explains that the Indonesian Agriculture Ministry & Bulog are focusing on improving rice storage management.
Garuda Indonesia's Subsidiary Partners with Pelita Air for Aircraft Maintenance
4 hari lalu
PT Garuda Maintenance Facility Aero Asia Tbk (GMF) signed a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in utilizing aircraft maintenance facilities at Pondok Cabe Airport owned by PT Pelita Air Service (Pelita Air).
Prabowo Appoints Amran Sulaiman as Head of Indonesia's Food Agency
5 hari lalu
The appointment and dismissal of the head of Bapanas (National Food Agency) are regulated in Presidential Decree Number 116/P of 2025.
Prabowo Reportedly Dismisses Arief Prasetyo as Head of Indonesia's Food Agency
5 hari lalu
President Prabowo Subianto has reportedly dismissed Arief Prasetyo Adi from his position as Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas).
Bulog Readies Rice Distribution for Free Nutritious Meal Program
13 hari lalu
Bulog prepares premium and medium rice to support the Free Nutritious Meal Program (MBG) as instructed by the President.
Garuda Indonesia-Pelita Air Merger Plan Under Scrutiny: An Analysis of Pros and Cons
21 hari lalu
The proposed merger of Garuda Indonesia and Pelita Air is expected to be a burden for PT Pertamina.
Garuda Indonesia Says Pelita Air Merger Plan Still in Exploration Stage
30 hari lalu
Wamildan Tsani, the CEO of Garuda Indonesia, has addressed the plan of business consolidation or merger with the airline Pelita Air.
Indonesia's Oil Giant Pertamina Eyeing Merger for 3 Subsidiaries
34 hari lalu
The merger is set to involve PT Pertamina Patra Niaga, Kilang Pertamina Internasional, and Pertamina International Shipping.
