REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The synthetic rice that became a cause for concern in the country over the last few days was smuggled from China, according to Trade Minister Rahmat Gobel.
After attending a limited cabinet meeting at the State Palace on Wednesday, he gave his assurance that the government had never issued a permit for the importation of rice.
"We did not issue a rice import permit (this year). The fake rice must have been smuggled," he said.
Therefore, his office is still examining the presence of the fake rice, which is believed to contain elements of plastic, in markets.
"I have seen the rice that is said to be made of plastic. I have also tested it by burning it. There are many possibilities. It can just be rice with formaldehyde. That's why we are still studying it," the minister noted.
Gobel added that his office had conducted studies on the circulation of the fake rice, fearing that it existed outside Bekasi, West Java, as well. However, it has yet to be found elsewhere.
"I have looked for it everywhere, but did not find it. It was reportedly found in Bekasi," he remarked, adding that the government was still studying it.
"Yesterday, I assigned my staff to conduct a laboratory test on the suspected fake rice to confirm whether it is really made of plastic," he stated.
Gobel pointed out that his office was still studying the rice found being sold in Bekasi.
As the rice had been imported without a permit, the distributors that sold the commodity will be investigated, he affirmed.
The trade minister had inspected a number of traditional markets, including Cibinong Market, that day to check the distribution of plastic rice.
The plastic rice issue emerged in the last few days and has attracted the attention of various parties.
Hermanto, a legislator of Commission IV, which oversees agricultural affairs, of the House of Representatives, has urged the government to take concrete steps to prevent the distribution of the fake rice produced in China.
"The government must be able to guarantee that the fake rice will not enter the country again. This is important to pacify the people who have become restless due to the issue," he remarked.
He further noted that according to reports, the fake rice was made of a mixture of potato, batata and industrial synthetic resin, or plastic.
People have become restless and have asked for clarification on the issue for certainty, Hermanto pointed out.
"They need an explanation and concrete steps from the government with regard to the problem," he said.
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