Having Empty Rice In Modern Retail, The Food Task Force Disbursed The Reason For Producers To Hold Stock

The Head of the Food Task Force (Satgas) who is also the Director of Special Economic Crimes (Dirtipideksus) of the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Brigadier General (Brigjen) Helfi Assegaf, revealed a decline in rice stocks in a number of modern retailers.

According to him, this finding was obtained after the Food Task Force checked from the center to the regions, including at the Polsek level, according to the instructions of the National Police Chief to monitor rice distribution.

"Regarding the stock problem, our team from the central to regional food task force, to the Polsek level, is in accordance with the contents of the Telegram published by the National Police Chief to check the warehouse. There is a decrease in stock in modern retail, there is indeed a decline," said Helfi in a Public Discussion held by the Indonesian Ombudsman, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 26.

Helfi explained that the decline in stock was not only due to a lack of supply, but rather a producer who was reluctant to fill out the sales slot again. "The information is that they spent the slot in retail and did not refill it," he said again.

In addition, producers also admit fear and do not want to fall into legal cases. He emphasized that producers do not need to worry as long as the products sold are in accordance with the applicable rules, labels, and permits.

"What's the problem? We re-examine 'why don't you fill it in?'. 'We're afraid sir was arrested.' If you test the lab according to composition, why should you be afraid? I think if it matches what you put on the label, there's no problem. Licensing is there, everything is there, what's the problem? Because you are afraid to sell yourself not according to composition," said Helfi.

Furthermore, Helfi added that the National Police's Food Task Force will continue to monitor the circulation of rice so that there is no practice of hoarding or distribution irregularities.

"If you really don't want to sell the packaging with the label, then go ahead and sell bulk. It's not a problem to sell bulk even though it has been regulated according to the standard. And we have informed the producer," he said.

Rice Stock Is Available Again In Modern Retail

Premium rice is back on the retail market after previously being withdrawn due to a violation of quality standards. However, the supply is still limited and the distribution has not been evenly distributed throughout the region.

Chairman of the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo), Solihin said, producers have started shipping the latest production rice since August 2025. However, some retailers still display old stocks that have not been reorganized.

"Some retailers still display old stocks that have not been reorganized. Some manufacturers have actually asked for a retour, but replacements with new products are still waiting for realization," said Solihin in his statement, Friday, August 22.

To maintain people's purchasing power, producers lower prices by Rp. 1,000 per packaging by five kilograms. That way, the price of premium rice is now set at Rp. 73,500 per package of five kilograms, lower than the highest retail price (HET) of Rp. 74,500.