Bulog Prepares Domestic Premium Rice for the Taste of Elderly Pilgrims Presidential directive encourages the use of high-quality premium Indonesian rice. Rep: Frederikus Dominggus Bata/ Red: Ahmad Fikri Noor

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Perum Bulog is preparing premium rice for all Indonesian Hajj pilgrims during the 2026 Hajj season with the main consideration being to maintain the appetite of the elderly group. This preparation is carried out under the direction of President Prabowo Subianto. Bulog's CEO Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani considers the compatibility of rice flavor to be an important factor for regular Hajj pilgrims who are dominated by the elderly group. The difference in the taste characteristics of rice has been considered to affect the appetite and physical condition of the pilgrims during their worship. “Many of our pilgrims in Saudi Arabia do not like rice from abroad because the taste is different. Regular pilgrims are mostly old folks from the villages. When they use hotel food, they don’t like the taste,” said Rizal when met at the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs' Office, Jakarta, Monday (9/2/2026). He explained that the use of Indonesian rice is intended to ...