"Likewise, I want to remind them that rice prices have contributed up to 30 percent to the inflation rate, thus accounting for the largest such component," the president said while opening a plenary cabinet meeting at the Presidential Office here on Wednesday.
He further asked the rank and file of his government to exercise caution. He said he will not hesitate from calling the chief of the state logistics agency (Bulog), the Trade Minister, the State Enterprises Minister and the Agriculture Minister to keep a check on the price of rice in particular, and foods in general.
He said he does not want to see the rice prices increasing constantly and concrete steps must be taken to stabilize these.
"Dont let rice prices increase and steps must be taken to stabilize food prices because this issue is related to the poverty eradication program," he said.
In this regard, the president asked his ministers to pay greater attention to the issue of poverty.
"I need to remind you that our gini ratio currently stands at 0.41 and this has become the center of global attention," he said.(WDY)
