Indonesia Agriculture Minister targets food mafia over rice tampering

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has confirmed the existence of a food mafia in Indonesia following discoveries of rice tampering. During an inspection in East Jakarta, officials identified instances where subsidized Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan (SPHP) rice was allegedly mixed with premium rice to increase profit margins.

Minister Amran emphasized that food is a strategic commodity with significant economic and political implications. He stated that the government will not tolerate parties manipulating food distribution for personal gain, noting that such practices undermine national stability and harm the public.

The Minister expressed support for law enforcement actions taken by the Indonesian National Police to uncover these illegal networks. He urged observers to recognize these criminal activities rather than dismissing the existence of food mafias, asserting that the government is committed to protecting the interests of the nation's farmers and consumers.