Christiany Raises Allegations That SPHP Rice Was Repackaged as Premium Rice

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Christiany Eugenia Paruntu, a member of Commission VI of the House of Representatives (DPR RI), has raised concerns over allegations that rice from the Food Supply and Price Stabilisation (SPHP) programme was illegally mixed and sold as premium rice, harming consumers.

“Illegally repackaging SPHP rice as premium rice creates serious market distortions,” Christiany said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday.

She said the manipulation of subsidised rice violated trading rules, harmed low-income communities and disrupted the structure of the national rice market.

According to Christiany, Commission VI views the SPHP programme not merely as a social assistance instrument, but as part of the national trade strategy to maintain food-price stability and protect the purchasing power of low-income groups, particularly those in deciles 1–5.

She highlighted price disparities and distribution irregularities identified during a surprise inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture and police. SPHP rice, which receives a state subsidy of Rp6,000 per kilogram and should be sold at a maximum retail price of Rp12,500 per kilogram, was allegedly diverted into the premium market and sold for Rp17,000 per kilogram.

The inspection found 600 tonnes of the rice at Rumah Beras Kayumanis in Matraman, with the amount potentially reaching thousands of tonnes at the Cipinang Rice Main Market (PIBC). Christiany said the practice was allegedly generating illegal profits of Rp4,500 per kilogram.

She also urged state-owned logistics company Perum Bulog and authorised distributors to tighten internal audits of the SPHP distribution system to prevent subsidised rice from being diverted to speculators or other parties seeking to make illegal profits.

Christiany called on the Ministry of Trade and all stakeholders to increase regular market surveillance to safeguard the trading system for essential goods.

She said Commission VI would use its oversight powers to summon the relevant parties and ensure subsidised rice is distributed fairly and transparently, without irregularities.