President Prabowo Subianto strongly criticized corrupt practices in Indonesia’s rice trade, promising to take action against companies that manipulate and increase the price of subsidized rice. During the 27th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB), the President highlighted that these unethical practices result in an annual loss of up to Rp100 trillion for the country. Subsidized seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farming equipment are provided by the government, but once the rice is processed, it is repackaged as ‘premium rice’ and sold at a much higher price. Prabowo revealed that 212 rice milling companies have been identified engaging in such activities and emphasized the need for them to return their ill-gotten profits. He condemned the practice as criminal, stating that it directly harms the people and violates the Constitution. The President emphasized the importance of cracking down on these practices to redirect the substantial losses towards enhancing public services, such as schools and healthcare facilities. Taking a firm stance, President Prabowo has instructed the National Police Chief and the Attorney General to launch investigations and take legal action against companies involved in these schemes. He clarified that his actions are driven by the constitutional duty to control sectors critical to the nation’s well-being, such as the rice industry. This move is not a personal agenda but a mandate specified in Article 33 of the 1945 Constitution.
