November 25, 2025 | 11:02 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Finance Ministry has responded to the discovery of 250 tons of allegedly illegal imported rice in Sabang, Aceh, a strategic free-trade zone on the country’s westernmost tip.
The shipment, believed to have entered Indonesian territory without central government approval, was first disclosed by Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman and has raised concerns over oversight in one of Indonesia’s designated free ports.
Director General of Customs and Excise Djaka Budi Utama emphasized that his agency did not authorize the import.
He said the permit had been issued locally by the Sabang Free Trade and Free Port Management Agency (BPKS), which operates under a special autonomous framework designed to boost regional economic activity.
“If the rice was permitted by BPKS Sabang, then that is within their authority. We ensure that it does not leak into the domestic market. Since it was not authorized by the central government, we have now sealed it,” Djaka told reporters at the House of Representatives complex on Monday, November 24, 2025.
Djaka said the rice shipment has been secured by police and that the government will investigate all parties involved.
Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman earlier noted irregularities in the import process. Meeting minutes from a government coordination session in Jakarta on November 14 showed that the import request had been rejected by central officials. However, Amran said an import permit from Thailand, the country of origin, had already been issued.
He suggested that the incident indicated a deliberate attempt to circumvent national regulations.
“We emphasize that the rice has been sealed, and we urge authorities to trace everyone involved,” Amran said in a written statement on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
Amran also reiterated that rice imports remain prohibited. President Prabowo Subianto, he said, has affirmed that Indonesia’s domestic stock is adequate and that no additional imports are needed.
Alfitria Nefi Pratiwi contributed to the writing of this article.
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