"We must control and intervene in the price of all state-subsidized rice," he said during a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission IV.
The government has allocated Rp164.4 trillion for food subsidies, and this new policy is aimed at preventing private companies from setting arbitrary prices to increase profits.
Sulaiman clarified that if private entrepreneurs want to set higher prices for rice, they must not use government subsidies for their operations, including for equipment, seeds, or fertilizer.
However, Titiek Soeharto, Chair of Commission IV, urged the Minister to proceed with caution.
She warned that rushing the policy could negatively affect many people, potentially forcing the president to revoke the regulation if it proves unsuitable.
Previously, the National Food Agency (Bapanas) announced that there would be a single maximum retail price for regular rice, eliminating the previous classifications of medium and premium rice.
The Coordinating Minister for Food Affairs, Zulkifli Hasan, also confirmed that the classification of rice sales would shift from quality-based (medium and premium) to type-based (regular and special).
Translator: Putu Indah Savitri, Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Aditya Eko Sigit Wicaksono
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