Government to Take Firm Action Against Sellers of Staple Goods Above HET, Potential Criminal Penalties

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono stated that the government will take firm action against rogue producers who manipulate prices by selling essential goods above the Maximum Retail Price (HET) ahead of Eid al-Fitr 1447 H/2026 M.

The enforcement will be carried out by a joint Food Task Force that includes police elements.

“This involves firm action. There is a joint task force in this regard, the Food Task Force from the Ministry of Agriculture, the National Food Agency, including from the Criminal Investigation Agency of the National Police Headquarters, to ensure that no rogue elements take advantage of the situation,” said Sudaryono during a press conference updating infrastructure readiness ahead of Nyepi and Eid holidays at the Presidential Staff Office (KSP), Central Jakarta, on Wednesday (18/3/2026).

He explained that the sanctions vary according to the type of violation. These include revocation of business licences up to criminal penalties if criminal elements are found.

“If there is intentional misconduct and criminal elements are discovered, I apologise, but we cannot say no to pursuing it criminally,” Sudaryono stated.

“Whoever violates will be dealt with firmly. Why? Because this concerns the livelihood of the people, rice, corn, chillies, chicken, and so on, especially in the Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr situation,” he added.

Furthermore, Sudaryono stated that the government, including President Prabowo Subianto, continues to monitor food price developments at the consumer level and production centres periodically.

“If prices are found not to comply with the HET, higher than that, please report it, no problem. There is a hotline, for example, report to Pak Amran via social media, you can go viral. But of course, our task is to resolve the issue,” Sudaryono emphasised.