Sulaiman spoke of having received warnings about crossing “influential figures” who are allegedly behind the fraud recently exposed by the government.
“However, the President (Prabowo Subianto) has ordered me to deal with corruption and mafia networks in the food sector. In response, I voiced my determination to follow up on this case,” he noted in a statement cited here on Friday.
Sulaiman echoed a similar sentiment during an agricultural ceremonial event in Jakarta on Monday (June 30), when he promised to exert all-out efforts to stop unscrupulous actors from exploiting the country’s current rice surplus.
“We do not care about threats because we are working to serve the interests of the Indonesian people, Indonesian farmers, and those at the grassroots. We are ready to face and bear all risks,” he affirmed.
The minister also stressed his ongoing commitment to ensuring affordable prices and food security despite intimidation.
"I am well aware of the risks, but I am resolute in serving this country," he stressed.
He also noted that President Prabowo had instructed his aides to strengthen regulations, combat rogue actors, and support local farmers to help Indonesia achieve its ambition of becoming the world’s food barn.
To this end, Sulaiman said the government plans to promote the downstreaming of horticultural and plantation commodities.
An investigation by the Agriculture Ministry, the National Food Agency (Bapanas), the Attorney General’s Office, and the police uncovered illegitimate practices as the cause of recent pricing anomalies—despite the nation recording a 57-year high of 4.2 million tons in rice stocks.
Focusing on 212 rice brands, the probe uncovered violations related to quality, pricing, and weight standards.
Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
