Minister Amran Sulaiman exposes rice subsidy fraud Jakarta, 29 October 2026 – Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman revealed a scheme that allegedly involved the diversion of subsidised rice from the Stabilisation of Supply and Food Prices (SPHP) programme. According to the minister, rice that should have been sold to the poor at a price of Rp 12,500 per kilogram was purchased by the state grain agency (Bulog) for Rp 11,500, then broken down and re‑mixed with lower‑quality grain before being sold as premium rice at higher prices. “In the case of subsidised rice, which is meant to be sold at Rp 12,500 per kilogram, it was bought by Bulog for Rp 11,500. The rice was then broken down, mixed with inferior grain, re‑packed, and sold at a higher price,” Amran said at a press conference in Jakarta. “This is a crime. The subsidised grain is being misused and sold as premium rice.” The minister, who also heads the National Food Agency (Bapanas), said that the investigation led to the dismissal of eight officials from Bulog and Bapanas, with two others receiving formal warnings. “We have ten officials in total. Two received warnings, and eight were dismissed. This action will be followed up by the Food Task Force. Anyone found guilty will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he added. Amran explained that the dismissals were a form of accountability for the officials’ failure to supervise the distribution of subsidised rice. “We do not know how far the involvement extends, but the officials were negligent in their duties. Therefore, we are removing them,” he said. From the private sector side, nine individuals have already been processed through the legal system, and one has been formally named as a suspect. “We have a suspect, but the main perpetrator will be identified soon,” Amran said. The minister highlighted the scale of government support for the agricultural sector. In 2026, total subsidies and support for upstream activities—including fertilizers, tractors, irrigation, and other inputs—reached approximately Rp 160 trillion, up from Rp 144 trillion in 2025. Bulog itself receives a subsidy of about Rp 6 000 per kilogram for rice procurement. “SPHP rice is subsidised with significant state support. It is meant to help the most vulnerable. Instead, it is being manipulated and sold for profit. This is a crime against the people,” Amran concluded. He said that future oversight of food distribution would be tightened, with the involvement of the police and the Attorney General’s Office.
Article source: Koran Jakarta | Image credit: Koran Jakarta