Observer: Puan's Statement On Oplosan Rice Must Be Real Pressure To The Government

Political communication observer from The London School of Public Relations Business & Communication Institute (LSPR), Ari Junaedi, assessed that the statement by the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani in the adulterated rice case, was a form of political pressure on the government to act decisively immediately.

According to Ari, the loud voice from the leadership of the DPR should not be considered just an ordinary appeal, but as a signal that the executive should move quickly to overcome fraud in the food sector.

"The statement by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asking the government to be present to protect consumers and small business actors, must be interpreted as the legislative pressure for the executive to act immediately and not just silence it," Ari told reporters, Friday, July 25.

He added that the public is now waiting for concrete steps from the government after the Ministry of Agriculture found mixed rice in 10 main producer provinces. It is feared that this practice could damage consumer confidence in basic food products in the market.

"The government should not underestimate the strong demand from the DPR to take firm action against fraud actors," he said.

Ari assessed that the mixed rice case is a serious threat to food security that is being echoed by President Prabowo Subianto's administration. He reminded that weak supervision from relevant ministries and institutions is often the root of problems.

"I think the DPR as an extension of the people does not want the seriousness of the Prabowo government in building food security to be injured by its staff who are not able to work," said Ari.

He also highlighted the weakness of supervision which causes similar practices to often recur, including when it was revealed that there was a reduction in the dose in packaged cooking oil some time ago.

"The supervisory function of relevant agencies such as the Ministry of Trade does not work properly," said Ari. "Public will ask, are the authorities just sleeping and letting such products freely circulate in the market?"

Previously, the Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked the government and law enforcement agencies to take concrete and measurable steps so that economic justice in the food sector can be realized. He emphasized the importance of protection for consumers and small traders.

"Don't let consumers and small traders become victims," said Puan, Wednesday, July 23.

Puan also encourages transparency regarding the names of producers and brands involved in the adulterated rice case, as a step to restore public trust. He even requested that the alleged involvement of cartels or monopoly practices be thoroughly investigated.

In addition, Puan said that the National Food Agency (Bapanas) must intervene to unravel the root of the problem and classify the level of error in this case. He also asked the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) to be involved in the investigation.

"The government must immediately issue an affirmative policy to protect market traders from bad reputation impacts and open up spaces for economic recovery fairly," he said.