Mixing "Reject" Rice and Medium-Packaged SPHP Rice Infuriates the Minister of Agriculture

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — A case of mixed reject rice with medium-grade rice sold in Food Supply and Price Stabilization (SPHP) rice packaging has been uncovered. The incident has angered Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman.

Rejected rice is rice that doesn't pass quality screening. This low-quality rice is often sold at a lower price, especially for animal feed.

On Saturday (26/7/2025), the Riau Regional Police (Polda) uncovered a case of mixed reject rice with medium rice sold in SPHP and premium rice packaging. The police have named R (35), the rice distributor, as a suspect and confiscated 9 tons of the mixed rice as evidence.

The perpetrator obtained the rejected rice from Pelalawan Regency for Rp 6,000 per kilogram (kg). The rice was then mixed with medium-grade rice obtained from Pekanbaru Regency for Rp 11,000 per kg.

After being mixed, the rice is packaged in 5 kg SPHP rice packaging belonging to Perum Bulog and premium packaging of the brands Aira, Family, Anak Dara Merah, and Kuriak. The mixed rice packaged in SPHP is sold for Rp 13,000 per kg, while the premium packaged rice is sold for Rp 16,000 per kg.

Mixed rice in SPHP packaging is sold for IDR 13,000 per kg, while premium packaging is IDR 16,000 per kg.

On Sunday (27/7/2025), Amran appreciated the performance of the Riau Regional Police. The disclosure of the case demonstrates the police's genuine commitment to protecting the community from food fraud.

Amran was also furious with the fraud committed by the perpetrators of mixed rice. As a result of their actions, the community has to purchase mixed rice in medium packaging at Rp 5,000-Rp 7,000 per kg more expensive than it should be.

In fact, the difference is estimated to reach Rp 9,000 if mixed with premium rice. Furthermore, the quality of the adulterated rice is also below the standard quality.

"This is a form of deception against the people. Such practices also tarnish the image of the SPHP program being promoted by the government," said Amran in a press release in Jakarta.

Amran explained that the SPHP program is mandated by Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food. This program is also a concrete effort by the government to ensure public access to quality rice at affordable prices.

The SPHP program is supported by subsidies from public funds to assist the purchasing power of the community and to maintain inflation. The highest retail price (HET) of SPHP rice at the consumer level is regulated in the National Food Agency Regulation Number 5 of 2024 concerning the HET of rice.

The HET for SPHP rice is set at Rp 12,500 per kg for zone 1, Rp 13,100 per kg for zone 2, and Rp 13,500 per kg for zone 3. Zone 1 includes Java, Lampung, South Sumatra, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, and Sulawesi.

Zone 2 includes Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Bengkulu, Riau, Riau Islands, Jambi, Bangka Belitung Islands, East Nusa Tenggara, and Kalimantan. Meanwhile, Zone 3 encompasses Maluku and Papua.

The Chief of the Riau Regional Police, Inspector General Herry Heryawan, explained that the disclosure of the case was carried out by the Special Criminal Investigation Directorate of the Riau Regional Police, led by Commissioner Ade Kuncoro. This action is a follow-up to the directive from the Indonesian National Police to take action against crimes in the food sector that harm consumers.

The Riau Police have also confiscated a number of pieces of evidence. The evidence includes 79 sacks of mixed SPHP rice, 4 sacks of premium branded rice containing low-quality rice, 18 empty SPHP sacks, a digital scale, a sewing machine, and sewing thread.

"The state has provided subsidies, but they are manipulated by individuals for personal gain. This is not merely a trade fraud, but a crime that harms our children who need nutritious food," he stated.

Hery added that the suspect was charged with Article 62 Paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 8 Paragraph (1) Letters e and f, and Article 9 Paragraph (1) Letters d and h of Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. The perpetrator faces a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 2 billion.

Amran emphasized that the government will tighten the supervision of the distribution of SPHP rice occurring throughout Indonesia by involving food task forces from the police in the regions. This is a follow-up to the discovery of 212 brands of premium and medium rice in 10 provinces that do not meet quality standards and are sold above the HET.

"We will continue to synergize with the food task force and other law enforcement agencies to ensure that no individuals are playing games with the people's food. Perpetrators must be severely punished to serve as a deterrent," said Amran.

Meanwhile, the Head of Bapanas, Arief Prasetyo Adi, stated that there will be no withdrawal of medium and premium rice that has already been distributed to various retail distribution networks. This is done to maintain the availability of rice in the market.

However, business operators are urged to lower prices to align with the quality of rice and packaging labels. For instance, if the broken rice percentage is between 15 to 25 percent, specifically 20 percent, the price (for medium and premium rice) in zone 1 ranges from Rp 12,500 to Rp 14,900 per kg.

"We have already communicated with the retailers. Some retailers have reduced the price by around Rp 1,000 for the 5-kilogram packaging. We will also ask those who have not yet done so to lower their prices," he said.