“Uncover and investigate thoroughly the issue of adulterated rice. Do not let this issue end up harming the people,” Maharani told reporters at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday.
She also called on law enforcement to promptly take firm action against irresponsible producers, adding that the DPR will continue to perform its oversight duties regarding the matter.
“I see that follow-up actions are already underway. If any parties are found to be involved, they must be dealt with immediately and in accordance with the law. The public must not be made to suffer because of this,” she stated.
Separately, Chair of House Commission IV Siti Hediati Hariyadi, also known as Titiek Soeharto, expressed concern over the discovery of allegedly adulterated rice, amid the government's push for national food self-sufficiency.
“We are concerned that in this day and age, such adulteration is still occurring, even by large companies. I believe firm action must be taken to create a deterrent effect. We are all working toward food self-sufficiency and improved agricultural resilience,” she remarked at the Parliamentary Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday.
The National Police Food Task Force (Satgas Pangan Polri) earlier reported that it had questioned 22 witnesses as part of an investigation into rice producers. These included representatives from six companies and eight owners of five-kilogram rice brands, though their identities have not been disclosed.
Based on the findings from 136 samples of premium rice, 85.56 percent failed to meet quality standards, 59.78 percent exceeded the government’s highest retail price (HET), and 21.66 percent did not match the declared net weight.
As for medium-grade rice, among 76 brands sampled, 88.24 percent failed to meet quality requirements, 95.12 percent violated HET, and 9.38 percent did not match declared weight specifications. In total, violations were identified in 212 rice brands.
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Translator: Melalusa Susthira, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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