President Prabowo Subianto strongly criticized the corrupt practices seen in Indonesia’s rice trade, promising to take action against companies that engage in repackaging and inflating the price of subsidized rice. During the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB), he disclosed that these practices are causing the country to lose up to Rp100 trillion annually.
Prabowo pointed out the various subsidies provided for the rice industry, from seeds to fertilizer to pesticides, all funded by public resources. However, he highlighted how some companies repackage the rice as ‘premium’ and sell it at a much higher price, which he deemed unfair to the people. The President mentioned that 212 rice milling companies have been caught engaging in these deceptive practices and emphasized the need for them to return the ill-gotten profits.
He condemned such actions as criminal acts that directly violate the Constitution and rob the citizens of their rightful benefits. Prabowo stressed that the lost funds could have been used for crucial public service improvements, such as schools, hospitals, and Islamic boarding schools across the nation. Consequently, he has directed the National Police Chief and the Attorney General to take swift measures to address the issue.
Through his actions, President Prabowo asserted that he is upholding the constitutional mandate to control sectors vital to the state, including the rice industry. He clarified that his stance is not driven by personal interests but rather by the constitutional obligation to protect the livelihoods of the people. The determination to crack down on corrupt practices in the rice trade reflects the commitment to uphold transparency, fairness, and integrity in Indonesia’s economy.
