Mixed Rice Cases Make Minister of Agriculture Rolling Up His Sleeves

JAKARTA - The government has announced that 212 brands of medium and premium rice are suspected of being mixed, spread across 10 major rice-producing provinces. Losses due to mixed rice are estimated to reach IDR 99 trillion per year for the Indonesian people.

The discovery of mixed rice began with an anomaly in rice prices around 1-2 months prior to the discovery, when prices for unhusked rice at the farmer and mill levels actually decreased. Meanwhile, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), rice prices at the consumer level rose, which should not have occurred given the significant increase in rice supply (+14% or a surplus of more than 3 million tons). This mixed rice was found in Bogor, Tangerang, Serang, and Cilegon City.

Agricultural observers called the mixed rice circulating in the community a collective crime, while economist Bhima Yudhistira urged the government to immediately reform the rice sector from upstream.

The uproar over mixed rice prompted Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman to conduct a more in-depth investigation, examining 268 brands of rice from 10 major rice-producing provinces, and the samples were tested in 13 laboratories. The results revealed that 212 brands, or approximately 86%, failed to meet standards, including by reducing volume, reducing quality, and adulterating premium rice with low-quality rice.

"After we wrote to law enforcement regarding the 212 brands, they requested a price reduction of IDR 1,000. Thank God, that's below the highest retail price (HET). The HET, which was IDR 74,000 per kilogram, has now dropped to IDR 73,000," Amran explained in a statement to the media in Jakarta on Friday, July 18.

One company has even written to its distributors, asking them to lower the price by IDR 1,000 per package. "A large company has already written to its distributors, asking them to lower the price by IDR 1,000 per package. We are grateful," said Amran.

Amran appreciated this move and encouraged producers and distributors throughout Indonesia to follow suit. The goal is to ensure the public can enjoy affordable rice prices, especially amidst increasing national production.

"We ask all of Indonesia to do the same so that the public can enjoy good prices as production increases," he urged.

In addition to lowering prices, Amran emphasized the importance of maintaining product quality. He reminded producers that the labeling of rice types must match the contents of the packaging. He also assured them that he would continue to monitor the quality of the rice being marketed.

"We urge you to lower the price below the HET. Remember, it's not just the HET, but the quality. So, if you're selling goods, say, premium, it must be premium quality. There's no bargaining. If it's medium, it must be medium because we'll check it regularly," he concluded.

The Coordinating Minister for Food Must Intervene, Don't Just Keep Silent!

Daniel Johan, a member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, responded to the discovery of 212 brands of rice that did not meet standards, with 86 percent of the rice labeled premium or medium actually being ordinary rice. He urged the Food Task Force to immediately resolve the alleged mixed rice to prevent market panic.

"Steps to address this mixed rice issue must be resolved immediately so that the public can rest assured about purchasing and consuming domestic rice. Price stability and rice stocks can be maintained," Daniel told VOI on Monday, July 21.

Daniel also highlighted the weak and non-transparent food distribution system. He said this fact indicates a systematic practice that not only misleads consumers but also threatens the credibility of the national food trade system and the national food monitoring system.

"Therefore, we urge that these fraudulent practices be dealt with immediately and firmly, with valid evidence and in accordance with applicable regulations," Daniel emphasized.

Chair of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Siti Hediati Hariyadi, also known as Titiek Soeharto, asked the Coordinating Minister for National Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, to intervene to address the mixed rice issue, which is increasingly causing public concern. Titiek made this statement when asked for her response to the need for the Ministry of Agriculture to recall mixed rice still circulating in the market.

"We'll leave it to the ministry; there's a Coordinating Minister for that, right? Please, the Coordinating Minister should also intervene; don't just sit idly by," Titiek told reporters at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Wednesday, April 16.

Titiek emphasized the importance of inter-agency coordination to ensure that the handling of the mixed rice issue does not confuse the public. She also emphasized that all companies found to have engaged in fraudulent practices must be dealt with firmly, without discrimination.

"This needs to be coordinated. Don't create a fuss about this and that. It will confuse the people," said the Gerindra Party legislator from the Special Region of Yogyakarta. "If it's a large company, it must be prosecuted. We can't be picky. Whether large or small, if it's proven to be mixed, action will be taken," he emphasized.

A Call to Rice Producers!

The mixed rice case was then reported to the Police and the Attorney General's Office for legal proceedings. Several large companies have been summoned by the Food Task Force for questioning on suspicion of adulteration, which is detrimental to consumers and tarnishes the national food trade system. National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo revealed that the investigation into alleged violations by several rice producers will not only target adulteration practices, but also reduced measurements.

"The temporary category is adulteration, and there are also those whose weight is below the specified limit, not in accordance with the packaging list," said Sigit.

These findings are the result of a preliminary investigation by the Indonesian National Police's Food Task Force, which is currently gathering information from 25 rice producers and distributors. They are being questioned regarding alleged manipulation of rice quality and quantity on the market. The investigation is not only collaborating with the police but also involving the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), specifically in laboratory testing to determine the difference between premium and medium-grade rice, which are often mixed and sold at higher prices.

"We plan to inspect 25 distributors and producers. We are collaborating with the Ministry of Agriculture for laboratory testing. The process is ongoing," said the National Police Chief.

Met separately, Amran admitted to always coordinating with law enforcement and warned rice producers to conduct their businesses in a way that does not harm the public.

"Last night, we communicated with the National Police Chief. Of the 212 rice brands we are processing, 25 have been inspected. The next batch of inspections will likely be held at 40-50 brands. So, we urge you, fellow rice entrepreneurs, to maintain a conducive environment. You can profit, but this shouldn't be taken for granted," Amran emphasized.

Amran also highlighted other countries, such as Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines, which are experiencing a rice crisis. Especially in Japan, where rice is sold at IDR 100,000 per kg.

"We must safeguard our country's food supply at a time when other countries are facing food shortages. Malaysia, Japan, and the Philippines are experiencing rice shortages. The price of rice in Japan is IDR 100,000 per kilogram. We are grateful that our rice prices are around IDR 13,000-IDR 15,000 per kilogram. We don't want a rice shortage to occur in Indonesia," he concluded.