President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia recently announced stricter regulations for large-scale rice mills, stating that they will now require special permits to operate. In his State of the Nation Address, President Prabowo emphasized the government’s commitment to protecting the people’s access to essential goods and preventing profit-driven exploitation during times of scarcity or price fluctuations. He warned that any business found hoarding essential goods could face severe penalties, including imprisonment or hefty fines.
President Prabowo also highlighted the importance of keeping industries critical to the people’s livelihood under state control, in line with the principles laid out by the nation’s founders. He stressed the need to uphold the legacy of past leaders who prioritized the welfare of the Indonesian people. As such, the government will be implementing new policies to regulate large-scale rice milling operations more effectively, ensuring that they adhere to the necessary standards to continue operating in the sector.
Through these measures, President Prabowo aims to safeguard the people’s right to access rice in sufficient quantities, at high quality, and affordable prices. He urged big players in the industry to comply with the regulations or consider moving into other sectors. President Prabowo emphasized the importance of not jeopardizing the people’s basic needs for the sake of maximum profits, signaling a firm stance against those who exploit the public for personal gain.
