Prabowo Orders Prosecutors and Police to Crack Down on Rice Fraud

SOLO, Investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto has vowed firm legal action against rice fraudsters, describing the practice as a major economic crime harming millions of Indonesians and costing the state an estimated Rp100 trillion ($6.1 billion) annually.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) Congress in Solo on Sunday, July 20, Prabowo condemned what he called “malicious practices” by rogue businessmen who manipulate rice prices by disguising low-grade rice as premium products.

“There are still many dishonest business players who deceive the people. They label regular rice as premium and raise the price arbitrarily. This is a violation,” Prabowo said in a televised address.

The president said he had instructed Attorney General Sanitiar Burhanuddin and the Indonesian National Police to investigate and prosecute those involved, regardless of their status or connections. “I have asked the Attorney General and the police to pursue and act against these entrepreneurs without exception,” he declared.

Prabowo revealed that internal government reports had put the annual losses from rice price manipulation at Rp100 trillion. “This is a colossal economic crime,” he added.

He warned that the impact went beyond market violations, posing a real threat to public welfare and national stability. “This is not just market misconduct. It is a serious threat to the well-being of our people.”

Prabowo also underlined how such an amount, if redirected properly, could be transformative for the country. “Imagine what we could do with Rp100 trillion. We could potentially eradicate poverty in five years with Rp1,000 trillion.”

His speech came amid growing concern over widespread rice adulteration, with recent investigations by the Trade Ministry uncovering cases of repackaged rice being sold at inflated prices across several regions.