Consumer Watchdog Urges Government to Resolve Rice Supply Controversy
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JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — The Indonesian Consumer Foundation has urged the government on Saturday, Sept 6, 2025, to quickly resolve ongoing rice supply issues that consumers continue to face.
YLKI Chairwoman Niti Emiliana highlighted a contradiction between government statements claiming abundant rice stocks and the reality of rising retail prices and stock shortages in many locations.
“From the consumer perspective, abundant rice stock should not only exist in warehouses or upstream levels, but must also be available in markets, easily accessible to the public, with standardized quality and affordable prices,” Niti said in an official statement.
YLKI noted that escalating rice prices in modern retail stores had placed a heavy burden on consumers. Rice available in supermarkets is often special fortified rice priced at Rp 90,000 to Rp 130,000 for a 5-kilogram package, which does not fall under government price ceiling regulations. This situation emerged following shortages of premium and medium-grade rice.
At traditional markets, rice prices also rose, though not as sharply as in modern retail outlets. YLKI emphasized that the government must address these increases to prevent further price surges or stock gaps.
The foundation called on the government to guarantee consumer rights to rice availability with easy access, standardized quality, and affordable pricing.
YLKI further urged the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and state-owned logistics company Perum Bulog to accelerate the large-scale distribution of standardized SPHP rice to stabilize prices and fill supply gaps. It also pressed the Ministry of Trade, Bapanas, the Food Task Force, and the police to fully investigate the distribution chain to explain shortages of premium and medium rice in retail outlets.
“Rice consumers are the most loyal customers because rice is a staple food. On this National Customer Day, YLKI asks the government to ensure that customer rights in rice consumption are upheld,” Niti said.
Earlier, Perum Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani said SPHP rice had been distributed effectively. If shortages occurred in retail outlets, he explained, the issue was part of an ongoing restocking process.
“This is probably still in the stage of repacking and replenishing. But everything is being delivered,” Rizal said recently.
He added that Bulog had been meeting retail demand for SPHP rice, noting that the company had been instructed to channel as much as 10,000 tons of rice per day to markets nationwide.
“We have shared supplies across the board, even working nonstop from Monday through Monday to follow the directive of the President to release as much stock as possible,” Rizal said.
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