JAKARTA - The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Budi Santoso opened his voice regarding the news that Cipinang market traders were afraid of selling after the issue of mixed rice. He claimed the problem had been handled.
"Yes. Already, there is no problem. It has been handled properly," he said when met at Balai Kartini, Jakarta, Tuesday, August 12.
However, Budi did not explain further what the process of handling the mixed rice case has been of concern to the public lately.
Previously, RI Ombudsman member Yeka Hendra Fatika revealed that there was a decrease in the turnover of a number of traders at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC) during a surprise inspection (sidak) on Monday, August 11.
Yeka said a number of traders complained about the decline in sales turnover by 20 to 50 percent since the issue of mixed rice emerged in the public. Usually traders can sell 15 to 20 tons of rice per day, now they are only able to sell 6 to 10 tons per day.
"From the merchant's statement, for example, they usually sell 15 to 20 tons of rice per day, but currently only 6 to 10 tons of rice per day," Yeka said in a written statement, Tuesday, August 12.
PIBC management data shows that the comparison of rice in and out activities between the period 1 to 10 July 2025 and 1 to 10 August 2025 decreased.
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The amount of rice that fell 22.97 percent, while those who left decreased by 20.84 percent. In addition to the decline in sales volume, the Ombudsman also recorded an increase in rice prices in the market.
The cheapest rice price currently reaches IDR 13,150 per kilogram (kg) and the highest is IDR 14,760 per kg, with an average increase of around IDR 200 in the last two weeks.
The impact of the decline in trading activity was also felt by loading and unloading workers. Based on data from the PIBC Unloading Worker Cooperative, of about 1,200 members, 80 percent did not work due to reduced volume of rice purchases.
"This situation requires serious government attention. Protection of consumers must go hand in hand with the protection of the sustainability of business actors and workers," said Yeka.
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