Minyakita Producer Faces Severe Sanctions Over Diesel-Tainted Cooking Oil

The producer of Minyakita cooking oil found to smell of diesel, PT Kusuma Mukti Remaja (PT KMR), faces severe sanctions as the government investigates the contamination. The tainted cooking oil was discovered by recipients of food aid in Karanganyar, Klaten, and Wonogiri. Director of Domestic Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Iqbal Shoffan Shofwan, stated that the government will act firmly if the investigation proves there was an element of intent or fatal negligence, with legal action and strict sanctions imposed in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations. Iqbal confirmed that mitigation efforts have been carried out in coordination with local governments and the State Logistics Agency (Perum Bulog) to localise the distribution of the oil and prevent it from spreading to other aid recipients. He has instructed the immediate withdrawal of the Minyakita-branded cooking oil aid indicated to smell of diesel that has been distributed to recipients in several areas, with direct replacement using quality cooking oil. Iqbal assured that the government is committed to the law enforcement process as an effort to protect the public. An investigation is currently underway to determine the primary cause of the diesel odour in the product. He has written to all Minyakita producers to ensure that every stage of production and distribution complies with applicable quality, quantity, and distribution licence requirements. Iqbal views the incident as a momentum for the government to conduct an evaluation by tightening the supervision system. Going forward, supervision will no longer be conducted only downstream or in markets, but will be tightened directly from the factory upstream. The Ministry of Trade, together with relevant ministries and agencies, will intensify integrated supervision from upstream to downstream, starting from the factory production process until the product is ready for consumption by the public, with the hope that similar problems will not recur. Iqbal stressed that compliance with hygiene and food safety standards is an absolute obligation, clearly regulated in Minister of Trade Regulation Number 43 of 2025. The regulation stipulates the obligation of Minyakita producers and packers to comply with prevailing laws, including requirements for quality standards, quantity, size, and food safety. He also confirmed collaboration with technical ministries related to standardisation and law enforcement officials to ensure every distribution line is free from products that do not meet standards.