600 Tons of SPHP Rice Were Mixed and Sold as Premium in East Jakarta
The subsidized rice, meant for Rp12.500 per kg, was allegedly resold for around Rp17.000 as police trace a network that may span thousands of tons.
The alleged mixing of rice from the Food Supply and Price Stabilization Program (SPHP) into premium rice was uncovered on Jalan Kayumanis X No.46A, Pisangan Baru, Matraman, East Jakarta, on Wednesday. Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said the initial evidence amounts to about 600 tons, with the total case suspected to reach thousands of tons. The current method involved subsidized rice that was supposed to be sold for Rp12.500 per kilogram being repackaged or mixed and then marketed as premium rice at around Rp17.000 per kilogram. Amran said the main suspect has been detained, while Polres Metro Jakarta Timur and other investigators are still tracing the distribution network and the possible source of the rice from a Bulog warehouse in Kelapa Gading. He also said any Perum Bulog or Kementerian Pertanian employee proven to be involved will be dismissed and prosecuted.