Death to rice hoarders

Amid reports that many Indonesians are in dire need of rice, it is disturbing to learn that 80,000 metric tons of the commodity are being stashed, unused, in a warehouse in the Pulogadung industrial zone in Jakarta. Various cases that have come to light lately seem to indicate that many problems exist regarding the distribution of rice and other foodstuffs. In many cases this is because some unethical officials or traders are trying to benefit from the situation.

Viewed against this background, one can understand Minister of Justice Muladi's warning that the government could invoke Law No.5/1959, which threatens hoarders of foodstuffs with the death penalty. Naturally, death would be the maximum penalty in such cases. Still, considering the truly critical food situation that prevails at present, it seems that the government deems it proper to issue such a warning.

At the same time, a natural consequence of all this is that our law enforcement authorities are called upon to work harder and be more professional and more conscientious in investigating cases that involve manipulations that harm the public interest.

Obviously, we hope nobody will have to suffer the death sentence for seriously obstructing food distribution. Rather, the threat should be a warning to those who have, either directly or indirectly, been guilty of such acts to mend their ways.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta