Semarang – Thousands of farmers from the Central Java National Farmers Union (Serikat Tani Nasional, STN) went to the offices of the Central Java governor in Semarang on Wednesday January 25. The demonstrators gave speeches and put up posters and banners that opposed rice imports that they believe will severely damage farmers. The action that failed to get any response from local government officials eventually disbanded peacefully.

Prior to this, they held a demonstration at the offices of the Central Java Provincial National Land Agency (BPN) in Semarang. They demanded that the BPN immediately resolve a number of land disputes that are damaging farmers. The government was urged to be more serious in improving the welfare of its citizens. The farmers also opposed fuel price increases and planned increase to basic electricity rates.

The rice imports that were being protested by the Central Java farmers meanwhile have already arrived. Around 6,000 tons of rice from Vietnam arrived at the Krueng Geukueh port in North Aceh at the end of last week. But because the documentation was incomplete the rice was only unloaded last Tuesday. The rice will be distributed in a number of regions in Aceh including the regencies of Aceh Tamiang, East Aceh, North Aceh Utara, Bireun and Pidie.

The government’s plan to import rice has already triggered price fluctuations in a number of parts of the country. In Kulonprogo, Yogyakarta, for example, rice prices reached more than 4,500 rupiah per kilogram. This has also happened in Banda Aceh and Greater Aceh. Increases to the price of rice even occurred when the rice was still being milled. Unhulled paddy that was previously 1,800 rupiah per kilogram jumped to 2,500 rupiah. (TOZ/Tim Liputan 6 SCTV)

[Translated by James Balowski.]