Pasuruan Police Seize 20 Tons of Allegedly Repackaged SPHP Rice

Police in Pasuruan, Indonesia, have uncovered an alleged scheme to repackage 20 tons of SPHP (Stabilisasi Pasokan dan Harga Pangan) rice into plain sacks for resale. The operation, following community reports on October 29, 2026, resulted in the seizure of approximately 800 kilograms of rice already in plain packaging and 20 tons of unprocessed SPHP rice. Authorities also impounded a truck used in the activity. Preliminary investigations suggest the rice, which originated from a Bulog warehouse in Malang, was intended for distribution outside Pasuruan, potentially reaching Central Java.

This incident highlights systemic vulnerabilities in the SPHP program, where subsidized rice is intended for low-income consumers at controlled prices. Recent inspections by the Ministry of Agriculture identified approximately 600 tons of rice suspected of being diverted to be sold as premium products. By repackaging subsidized rice and selling it at market rates, speculators can exploit the price gap, which can reach up to 4,500 IDR per kilogram. The National Food Agency (Bapanas) estimates that such diversions can lead to significant state losses, as subsidies fail to reach the intended recipients.