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House to investigate synthetic rice distribution at local markets
Members of House of Representatives Commission IV, overseeing agriculture, food, forestry, plantation and fishery and maritime affairs, and Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman are set to meet to discuss the establishment of a working group (Pansus) to investigate the discovery of synthetic rice at markets, which has led to growing controversy
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embers of House of Representatives Commission IV, overseeing agriculture, food, forestry, plantation and fishery and maritime affairs, and Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman are set to meet to discuss the establishment of a working group (Pansus) to investigate the discovery of synthetic rice at markets, which has led to growing controversy.
Commission IV member Andi Akmal said on Monday it was urgent that a working group was formed to help eleviate public unease over synthetic rice at markets.
He further said the working group would investigate imports or trade practices that may have led to the presence of synthetic rice at local markets.
'This is a serious issue that threatens national food security. Any trading violation will be investigated and all perpetrators will be prosecuted,' Andi told reporters on Monday at the House.
State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and the Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) are expected to attend a meeting with Commission IV, which will officially form the investigative working group.
Commission IV deputy chairman Herman Khaeron said the synthetic rice issue had affected rice sales at local markets in several regions. He added that the government's weak quarantine measures for imported goods may have led to the influx of synthetic rice.
'We want to investigate the case to see whether the commodity entered Indonesia legally,' Herman said. (ebf)(+++)
