Jakarta Governor, Basuki T Purnama proposed the rice subsidy for the poor (raskin) is not in form of rice but changed into money due to bad rice quality. This year, the central government allocated subsidy for raskin by Rp 20 trillion, especially for Jakarta amounting to Rp 300 billion.

What if we change it into money for the holder of Jakarta Smart (KJP) or Jakarta One card? But it remains apply on non-cash system

Each one liter of raskin is subsidized by Rp 7,325, while people have to spend Rp 1,600 to buy the rice per liter.

"Subsidy nominal is so a lot, but the rice quality is bad. What if we change it into money for the holder of Jakarta Smart (KJP) or Jakarta One card? But it remains apply on non-cash system," he disclosed, on the sidelines of coordination meeting with Bank Indonesia, at the BI Office, Jalan MH Tharim, Central Jakarta, Thursday (6/2).

By doing so, he believes the residents can buy rice with good quality such as Rojo Lele. If it is raskin subsidy, this is tantamount to force them to buy bad quality.

"If we give those cash, they could buy good rice, like Rojo Lele," he exclaimed.

He calculates every KJP holder may get up to Rp 1.3 million. Thus they can choose their own use of that budget. In coordination meeting, was attended by BI Governor Agus Martowardojo, Trade Minister Thomas Lembong, and Makassar Mayor Mohammad Ramdhan Pomanto.