Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Food Task Force had prosecuted 75 suspects and revoked 2,229 retailer and distributor permits from 2024 to 2025 as part of tightened supervision of cooking oil, rice, and fertilizer.
Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said the actions were aimed at maintaining food stability and protecting farmers and consumers from price manipulation and the distribution of illegal products.
"The mafia must not be allowed to roam free," he said here on Friday.
According to ministry data, the Food Task Force handled 16 cooking oil cases, 46 rice cases, 27 fertilizer cases, and two cases involving employees. All have been processed in accordance with regulations.
In addition, 2,229 retailer and distributor licenses were revoked for administrative breaches and non-compliance with business regulations. Sulaiman emphasized that the measure was taken to keep food distribution running smoothly and prevent monopolistic control.
His ministry pledged to continue strengthening supervision to prevent supply disruptions that could trigger fluctuations in food prices.
"We will resolve any wrongdoing. As long as I am here, we will take action against the food mafia," he stated.
He cited the example of a counterfeit fertilizer case, which had a widespread impact on farmers.
According to him, firm law enforcement is crucial to maintaining national food stability, especially for key commodities like rice and cooking oil, which are highly sensitive to price fluctuations.
He noted that the Food Task Force is also collaborating with other ministries and institutions, including the police and local governments, to enhance distribution monitoring and ensure food stocks and prices remain at reasonable levels.
He assessed that the enforcement measures taken during 2024–2025 support the broader food transformation agenda, including increasing production, expanding plantings, and strengthening commodity downstreaming to reduce the potential for speculation at the distributor level.
Sulaiman reiterated his commitment to maintaining the national food supply chain, ensuring the public has access to stable prices and farmers receive business certainty.
"This is our collective responsibility. Food security must be maintained from upstream to downstream," the minister emphasized.
