East Java Food Taskforce Investigates Premium Rice Sold Above Maximum Retail Price

Surabaya (ANTARA) – The Food Taskforce of the East Java Regional Police is investigating the sale of premium rice above the maximum retail price (HET) discovered during a surprise inspection at Pucang Market, Surabaya, on Monday.

Director of Special Criminal Investigation at the East Java Regional Police and Head of the East Java Food Taskforce, Police Commissioner Dodi Ruyatman, said the inspection was carried out to verify the condition of food supplies, particularly premium rice, at market level.

“The Food Taskforce went down together to check rice supplies, especially the premium variant. We are confirming information regarding the scarcity and high prices of premium rice in the market,” said Dodi during the inspection.

Based on monitoring results, premium rice stocks at Pucang Market are relatively secure and available. A number of brands are still being sold in accordance with prevailing price regulations.

However, officers found several brands of premium rice being sold above the HET.

“We will trace where the rice sold above the HET comes from. We need to know the distribution chain so that prices could surge at the trader level,” he said.

In addition to monitoring prices, the East Java Food Taskforce is tightening supervision to anticipate fraudulent and speculative practices in the rice trade.

“We are closely monitoring potential deviant behaviour from certain business players. For example, manipulating medium rice into premium rice packaging. However, at Pucang Market today, we have not found any indication of such fraud. We will continue monitoring periodically,” said Dodi.

Besides rice, the joint team also ensured the availability of Minyakita cooking oil at the downstream level. The price from state logistics agency Bulog is recorded at Rp15,700 to maintain affordability for the public.