Regarding Low Quality Rice Oplos Becomes Premium, YLKI Alludes To Threats Of 5 Years In Prison In Law 8/1999

Illustration - Sack of SPHP rice. BETWEEN/HO-Humas Bapanas

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) Niti Emiliana emphasized that the alleged case of mixing low quality rice into Bulog and premium food Supply and Price Stabilization rice (SPHP) in Riau is detrimental to farmers, consumers to the state.

"YLKI supports the government to conduct comprehensive investigations of the entire rice supply chain, take firm action indiscriminately and eradicate the rice mafia which is detrimental to the state, farmers and consumers," Niti said when contacted, Sunday, July 27, was confiscated by Antara.

He said YLKI demanded transparency for the public from the results of the investigation and prosecution.

"YLKI will continue to oversee this case thoroughly. This is a form of fraud and is detrimental to the state by misuse of the state budget by mixing (low quality rice to) SPHP," he said.

"This is a gross violation of consumer rights, especially rice for essential food commodities for consumers," he asserted.

"So this is included in the consumer fundamental right to get the appropriate rice," he said.

He said the criminal threat awaits if the produced rice is not in accordance with the standard. This is based on Article 8 of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection, with a penalty of five years and a fine of IDR 2 billion.

He further said that the act of mixing these commodities could reduce consumer confidence in the quality of rice in the market. Consumers do not get their rights with inappropriate rice quality.

"Basically consumers have the right to demand material and immaterial compensation," he said.

Niti suggested the need to strengthen the supervision system from upstream to downstream in each rice supply chain. Supervision also needs to be carried out in a pre-market manner, with administrative examinations, physical examination of infrastructure and laboratories to carry out quality control.

"Supervision of the 'post market' when the rice has entered retail must also be maintained in quality by conducting regular supervision," he said.

He said the role of consumers is also very important in eradicating the practice of mixing rice.

According to him, consumers can act as supervisors, eyes, and ears of fraudulent practices in the field and report to the authorities as a form of the presence of critical communities and strong public pressure so that action is taken by the government.

"In the Consumer Protection Law, consumer institutions are also given the mandate and role to carry out joint supervision with the government and the public towards consumer protection," said Niti.

Previously, Riau Police Chief Inspector General Herry Heryyawan said the raid was a follow-up to the direction of the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to take action against crimes that harm consumers.

He said the operation led by the Director of Criminal Investigation at the Riau Police, Kombes Ade Kuncoro, on Thursday, July 24, revealed two modus operandi carried out by suspect R.

First, the perpetrator mixed medium rice with poor quality rice or reject and then repackaged it into SPHP rice, and the two perpetrators bought cheap rice from Pelalawan and repackaged it in premium branded sacks such as Aira, Family, Dara Merah and Kuriak Kusuik to deceive consumers.

The confiscated evidence includes 79 sacks of adulterated SPHP rice, 4 premium branded sacks containing low rice, 18 empty sacks of SPHP, digital scales, sewing machines, and sewing threads.

"The state has provided subsidies, but is manipulated by individuals for personal gain. This is not just a trade scam, but a crime that harms our children who need nutritious food," said Inspector General Herry.

For his actions, the suspect was charged with Article 62 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 8 paragraph (1) letters e and f, as well as Article 9 paragraph (1) letters d and h of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection, with a penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp. 2 billion.