Returning From New York, Pramono Immediately Called The Managing Director Of Food Station In The Aftermath Of The Oplosan Rice Case

Rice sold at varying prices. (doc. Ministry of Agriculture's Bureau of Communication and Public Services)

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung summoned the President Director of PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya, Gunarso Employee the day after returning from his visit to New York, United States.

Gunarso employees are scheduled to meet with Pramono at DKI Jakarta City Hall at around 16.00 WIB. This is related to the case of the findings of the Ministry of Agriculture on suspicion of mixed rice that dragged the BUMD food management belonging to the DKI Provincial Government.

"This afternoon there will be a Food Station meeting with the Governor to discuss it. To our knowledge, the President Director has also been summoned by the Deputy Governor when the Governor is already in New York," Chico said at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Tuesday, July 22.

Chico admitted that the DKI Provincial Government did not want to deny the findings of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food Task Force on the alleged violation of the quality of the rice they found. Even so, the DKI Provincial Government is also conducting a sample test of 15 Food Station products as a comparison.

"We don't deny each other or reply to that. But, besides that, it has also been taken to the Bareskrim lab. Well, we'll just have to wait for the results from there. Later, the processes that will be carried out later, we'll see what proves," explained Chico.

On the one hand, despite the alleged case of mixing rice, Chico emphasized that Pramono still ordered the Food Station not to stop carrying out its duties in serving food supplies to Jakarta residents.

"During this process, the Food Station continues to carry out its daily duties, its function as a company that is also a supplier of food for Jakarta residents," explained Chico.

Previously, the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture's Communication and Information Service Bureau, Moch Arief Cahyono, said that rice samples from the Food Station had been tested in five independent laboratories.

The test results showed that several brands such as Alfamidi Setra Pulen and Beras Premium Setra Ramos did not meet the quality requirements as premium rice in accordance with applicable regulations.

In addition, it was found that the product was sold beyond the highest retail price (HET) set by the government.

"If the Food Station needs a copy of the laboratory data, please contact the National Police Headquarters Food Task Force. They already have all the test results and are investigating these findings," said Arief in a written statement.

The Ministry of Agriculture also highlighted other information circulating in the media regarding the alleged practice of mixing rice at the Cipinang Rice Main Market.

A trader revealed that there was an order of 10 tons of rice from one of the members of the DKI Jakarta DPRD which was packaged in 2,000 sacks measuring five kilograms. Each sack contains a mixture of various types of rice, allegedly to reduce prices and reap greater profits.

"We urge PT Food Station Tjipinang Jaya and related parties to immediately focus on improving product quality. Instead of being busy fending off issues in the media, we want to see concrete steps to ensure the quality of rice according to standards and prices remain reasonable for the community," said Arief.