Agriculture Minister: Food Task Force Identifies 39 Suspects in Rice Cases
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman stated that the Food Task Force has identified 39 suspects from 38 cases related to alleged irregularities in the rice sector as part of efforts to eradicate food mafias. Speaking in Jakarta on Sunday, Amran noted that the government is continuously expanding its oversight of fortified rice and other rice products to protect the public from trading practices that disadvantage consumers.
“The public is asking where the suspects are. The suspects have been identified, and the legal process is underway. The state must not lose against practices that harm the people,” he said. According to Amran, the government—working alongside the National Food Agency, the National Police Food Task Force, local governments, and law enforcement agencies—has taken product samples from various regions to test quality, nutritional content, legality, and price fairness.
He revealed that, based on government monitoring, alleged irregularities in fortified rice could potentially cause losses to the public of approximately Rp71 trillion, while irregularities in premium rice are estimated to reach around Rp98 trillion. Amran emphasised that eradicating food mafias is a direct instruction from President Prabowo Subianto to improve food trade systems and protect the public’s right to access quality and affordable food.
During the announcement, several youth and student organisations expressed their support for the government’s actions. Hanif Caniago, General Chairman of the Central Executive Board of Pemuda Hidayatullah, stated that his organisation is ready to oversee the Ministry of Agriculture’s firm steps in combating food mafias. Similarly, Ida Rahayu from the Indonesian Livestock Student Senate Association noted that tackling fortified rice irregularities is crucial as the impact is directly felt by farmers and the community. Tommy Suswanto, Chairman of IKA BEM Universitas Nasional, added that eradicating food mafias that damage the national economy is a shared responsibility of all elements of the nation.