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| Police in Riau Name Rice Distributor as Suspect After Mixing 9 Tons of Low-Quality Rice for Profit. |
Pekanbaru, Indonesia – Authorities in Riau have uncovered a disturbing case of food fraud involving the illegal mixing and repackaging of nearly 9 tons of substandard rice, which was falsely marketed as high-quality premium rice. The perpetrator, identified by the initials R, has officially been named a criminal suspect by the Riau Regional Police.
This operation violated consumer trust, undermined national food programs, and triggered legal action under Indonesia’s consumer protection laws.
What Happened?
On Thursday, July 24, 2025, around 3:00 PM local time, officers from the Riau Police's Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) raided a rice shop on Jalan Sail, located in the Rejosari sub-district of Pekanbaru City.
During the inspection, police discovered that low-grade rice from Pelalawan was being repackaged into sacks labeled with the official SPHP (Stabilization of Supply and Food Prices) brand—a government-backed rice distribution initiative. Some bags even bore labels claiming the rice originated from Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, although the contents were far below even medium-grade standards.
This fake labeling allowed the suspect to sell the rice at premium prices, deceiving consumers across the region.
Who Is the Suspect?
The main suspect, R, is the owner of the rice shop involved in this illegal activity. According to Kombes Ade Kuncoro, Director of Special Crimes at Riau Police, R has been formally charged under Indonesia's Consumer Protection Law No. 8 of 1999, including:
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Article 62(1) in conjunction with
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Article 8(1) points e and f
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Article 9(1) points d and h
These articles prohibit the act of misleading consumers through false packaging, fake product information, and fraudulent marketing of food products.
How Did the Operation Work?
The scheme was carried out systematically. The suspect purchased poor-quality rice from Pelalawan, weighed it, and then filled it into SPHP-labeled bags, which were sewn shut using a rice-sealing machine. This process created the illusion of high-quality government-distributed rice.
Even worse, the repackaged rice was marketed as coming from reputable regions such as Bukittinggi, misleading consumers about both origin and quality. The rice was then sold at premium market prices, despite its actual low-grade condition.
How Much Rice Was Confiscated?
Authorities confiscated a total of 8 to 9 tons of illegal repackaged rice. The exact amount is still under review. Items seized at the scene include:
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79 sacks of SPHP rice (5 kg each) filled with mixed rice
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4 additional sacks under other brand names
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18 empty SPHP bags
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A digital weighing scale
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A rice-sealing machine
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12 spools of sewing thread
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2 rice bowls used for packaging
Why Is This a Serious Offense?
Riau Police Chief Irjen Herry Heryawan emphasized that this operation directly threatens national food security and violates the government's mission to ensure affordable, high-quality food access for all Indonesians.
"This criminal act undermines the SPHP program, which was designed to support people with accessible food prices," the Police Chief said. “It also violates the principles of fairness, especially when government support—such as fertilizer subsidies, fuel, and irrigation—is funded by public money.”
He echoed a term recently used by the President of Indonesia: “serakahnomics”—a reference to greedy individuals who exploit public resources for personal gain.
What’s Next in the Investigation?
Riau Police have pledged to conduct a thorough investigation, including the possibility of wider distribution networks or accomplices involved in similar food fraud schemes.
This crackdown is part of a nationwide directive from the Chief of National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, instructing regional forces to aggressively pursue crimes that endanger public welfare and economic stability.
“This is about public safety and justice,” said Irjen Herry. “We must make sure that those who exploit the system for profit at the expense of ordinary citizens are held accountable.”
How Should Consumers Respond?
This case serves as a critical reminder for consumers to be vigilant when purchasing food, especially rice labeled as “premium” or “government-distributed.” Buyers are encouraged to verify the product origin, packaging details, and seller reputation before making a purchase.
The public is also urged to report any suspicious food products to local authorities to help protect the integrity of the nation’s food supply.
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