National Police Task Force Names 6 Suspects in Mixed Rice Case, House of Representatives Demands Action Against Other Food Mafias

JAKARTA - Hindun Anisah, a member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), commended the National Police's Food Task Force for successfully naming six suspects in the adulterated rice case. She also urged law enforcement to take action against other food mafias who have caused significant harm to the public.

"I appreciate the swift action of the National Police's Food Task Force in uncovering and naming suspects in the adulterated rice case," Hindun told reporters on Thursday, August 7.

Hindun said this success is a positive signal for consumer protection efforts and law enforcement in the food sector. The naming of suspects, she said, also demonstrates the government's seriousness in eliminating the disturbing food mafia.

"This demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement officials to maintaining national food security," she said.

However, the National Awakening Party (PKB) legislator emphasized that these efforts should not stop with the six suspects. She urged law enforcement officials to continue investigating the wider network, including other perpetrators and major actors often referred to as the food mafia.

"The action against these six individuals is just the beginning. We need comprehensive law enforcement, including against food mafias who have been harming farmers and consumers. There must be no room for fraudulent practices in food distribution, especially rice, a staple food for the people," Hindun emphasized.

Hindun also encouraged strengthened coordination across ministries and institutions, as well as optimizing the role of the National Food Agency in ensuring fair and equitable food distribution and quality. She emphasized the importance of stricter supervision, especially ahead of periods of high food inflation.

"There needs to be integrated supervision, from upstream to downstream. We must ensure that there are no loopholes exploited by individuals to commit fraudulent practices and harm the common people," she said.

Hindun also hopes that law enforcement against violations in the food sector will not stop as a temporary response.

"But rather become a systematic and sustainable step to create a healthy, fair, and sovereign food ecosystem," she concluded.

As reported, the National Police Food Task Force has named six suspects in the case of rice that does not meet the quality standards on packaging claims or adulterated rice. The naming of suspects will be carried out in stages.

First, on Friday, August 1st, the Task Force named three suspects: Karyawan Gunarso (KG), President Director of PT Food Station (FS), RL, Operations Director of PT FS, and RP, Head of Quality Control at PT FS.

Second, on Tuesday, August 5th, the Indonesian National Police Food Task Force named three more suspects in the adulterated rice case from PT Padi Internasional Makmur (PT PIM), which markets rice products under the brands Sania, Fortune, Sovia, and Siip. The three suspects are S, President Director of PT PIM, AI, factory head, and DO, head of quality control (QC).