YLKI Urges The Government To Take Firm Action On The Fraud Of Rice Sales That Loses Rp99.35 Trillion Consumers

Traders fell asleep while waiting for buyers at the rice seller stall at Pasar Minggu, Jakarta, Sunday (2/3/2025). (DOC. ANTARA PHOTO)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI) Niti Emiliana asked that the discovery of rice sales fraud practices that were not in accordance with standards so that they cost consumers up to Rp99.35 trillion per year, must be dealt with firmly.

"YLKI asks the Government to take firm action against extortion business actors who cause losses to consumer communities of up to almost Rp. 100 trillion per year," Niti said, quoted from ANTARA, Friday, June 27.

It is said that a criminal threat awaits if the produced rice is not in accordance with the standards, business actors are threatened with violating Article 8 of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection with a penalty of five years and a fine of IDR 2 billion.

According to him, the actions of unscrupulous rice sellers that are not in accordance with standards will reduce consumer confidence in the quality of rice in the market so that it must be explained to consumers about the quality and quantity of rice commodities sold on the market.

Based on these findings, he also encouraged the Ministry of Trade to revise the Consumer Protection Law Number 8 of 1999 or complete it with strict sanctions against essential commodities or commodities important for the life of the nation.

"Including food," he said.

Niti revealed that consumers are entitled to essential commodities at reasonable prices, guaranteed quality, and smooth distribution, so that basic needs remain available and do not cause unrest due to scarcity or high prices.

Strict supervision of rice circulation in the market is very important to ensure the suitability of quality and quantity, as well as enforcement of sanctions on business actors who violate applicable quality standards.

YLKI also encourages consumer complaint posts related to rice products that do not comply with standards, besides that YLKI also opens a complaint room for consumers regarding rice problems in the market.

"This will be an evaluation material that will be submitted to stakeholders," said Niti.

Previously, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday (26/6) revealed the potential loss to the consumer community of up to Rp99.35 trillion per year due to alleged fraudulent practices in rice trading.

The Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan) has investigated the quality and price of rice circulating in the market together with the Food Task Force, Police, Attorney General's Office to Bapanas.

The joint investigation found that the fraudulent practices carried out by rice business actors in the market, both premium and medium categories, showed that they were not in accordance with the volume, did not match the highest retail price (HET), and were not registered with Fresh Food from Plantation (PSAT).

Thus, the rice does not meet the quality standards set by Permentan Number 31 of 2017 or the National Food Agency Regulation Number 5 of 2024 concerning Amendments to the Regulation of the National Food Agency Number 7 of 2023 concerning the Highest Retail Price of Rice.