Minister Of Agriculture Amran Regarding Not Pulling Oplosan Rice: The Most Important Price Drops

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Amran Sulaiman said the government decided to ask producers to reduce premium rice prices incompatible with quality, rather than withdraw rice from circulation.

Based on a report from the Minister of Home Affairs Tito Karnavian, Amran continued, the price of premium rice has fallen in the market at this time.

"No need to ( withdraw), the important thing is to lower prices. Right now, thank God, according to the Minister of Home Affairs' statement, also from the Criminal Investigation Department, prices have dropped, especially premiums," he said when met at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Friday, July 25.

Amran reminded to immediately lower rice prices according to their quality. He also asked rice producers to no longer play with fraudulent practices.

"As soon as possible (to lower the price). Actually, we gave time first. We are very good at urging lower prices according to their quality. Otherwise, (there is) law enforcement. So the government is very good," he said.

14 Companies Have Been Examined

Previously, the Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan revealed that the government was preparing three steps to be taken to deal with mixed rice.

This statement was conveyed by Zulkifli Hasan after a coordination meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Food Agency, the Food Task Force, the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, the Attorney General's Office, and the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Coordinating Ministry for Food, Jakarta, Friday, July 25.

First, he continued, he would impose strict sanctions for companies that were proven to practice mixed rice.

One, for those who violate, who commit fraud against the community, sell is not in accordance with what is offered, that is clearly the article. So decisive action must be taken," he said.

Second, he continued, the government decided not to withdraw rice in accordance with the quality or oplosan of circulation. However, the government asks producers to lower rice prices according to their original quality.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas warned that rice producers would no longer play with fraudulent practices. Because, this practice is clearly a fraud.

"Not withdrawn. Lower the price according to its contents. Don't lie. If you still want to play around, 14 companies have been investigated," he said.

Finally, continued Zulhas, the government decided to remove the clustering of rice in the premium and medium categories. Later, it will only be divided into two types, namely general rice and special rice.

Zulhas explained that general rice is rice produced by domestic farmers and receives subsidies from the government, both in the form of fertilizer, irrigation, and other assistance.

Meanwhile, continued Zulhas, special rice is rice determined based on permits and certification from the government, such as fragrant pandan rice, glutinous rice, or imported rice for medical needs.

"Well, looking at that experience, we will make only one type of rice later. Rice is rice, no longer medium and premium. Yes, rice has rice, there is one more called special rice. So there are only two," he said.