Death to rice hoarders

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