Minister Of Agriculture Disbursed Hundreds Of Rice Brands Not In Accordance With Quality, Prabowo Asks For Strict Action

JAKARTA - President Prabowo Subianto chaired a limited meeting at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, July 30, which was also attended by a number of ministers of the Red and White Cabinet.

One of the main issues discussed at the meeting was the alleged violation of premium and medium rice quality standards circulating in the market.

Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman said, from the results of the supervision carried out, as many as 212 out of 268 rice brands were declared not to meet the standards set by the government.

"From the results of the 268 examination of the brand, there are 212 that do not comply with the standards set by the government," Amran said in his statement after following the meeting.

Amran said the findings show that many rice products in the market do not deserve to be categorized as premium and medium rice because they contain fractures (broken) well above the threshold which leads to potential mixing practices. "There are 30, 35, 40, and even up to 50 percent," he said.

Following up on these findings, his party has submitted the results of the examination to law enforcement officials. "We have conveyed to the National Police Chief and the Attorney General, after being re-examined, the data is the same, the results are the same. So, law enforcement is following up on all those that are not in accordance with the rules," said Amran.

President Prabowo, Amran said, gave directions for the legal process to be carried out in a firm and transparent manner. "The direction of the President, follow up. Later we will discuss the coordination meeting, we will discuss it again," concluded the Minister of Agriculture.

The National Police Food Task Force some time ago, revealed that as many as three rice business actors were proven to have committed fraudulent practice of quality manipulation for the premium type.

The three perpetrators, namely the initials PT FS, PT PIM, and Toko SY. From the results of the investigation, as much as 201 tons of premium rice were confiscated by the Police along with documents supporting the distribution process.

The police also raised the status for this mixed rice case to the investigation stage. If found guilty, business actors will be subject to criminal threats from the Consumer Protection Law and money laundering (TPPU) with a sentence of up to 20 years, a maximum fine of Rp. 2 billion.