TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government withdrew the 1-liter packaging of MinyaKita cooking oil which was only distributed in 750-800 milliliters from the market. Minister of Trade Budi Santoso stated this after attending the Cross-Sectoral Coordination Meeting for the Preparation of Eid al-Fitr 2025 Security in Jakarta on Monday, March 10, 2025.

Budi Santoso stated that the Ministry of Trade on March 7, 2025 found that the reduction in the volume of MinyaKita was carried out by PT AEGA located in Depok. But when visited, the company had closed. It turned out, PT AEGA had relocated its factory to Karawang.

"Our team has moved to the manufacturer suspected of reducing the measurement. So, we anticipated and directly pursued the company. In addition, MinyaKita that does not meet the measurement has started to be withdrawn," said Budi Santoso in his official statement.

Previously, the Ministry of Trade claimed to have resolved the first finding on January 24, 2025 by PT NNI in the Mauk, Tangerang area. This ministry, in cooperation with the Food Task Force, the National Police, the Indonesian National Armed Forces, and local governments, has taken action against the cheating carried out. The company was immediately sealed and could no longer operate.

"We routinely monitor the market and take action against fraudulent business players, but we do not blow it up to avoid causing panic buying," said Budi Santoso.

The Director General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order Moga Simatupang added that the Ministry of Trade has supervised the MinyaKita repacker not meeting the requirements. This supervision includes supply, distribution, stock, purchase price, selling price, and reporting in accordance with the provisions of the laws and regulations.

"The Ministry of Trade actively and intensively supervises the distribution of MinyaKita to all lines including producers, repackers, distributors, retailers, modern retailers, and traditional markets," said Moga.

Moga explained that the raw materials of MinyaKita suspected of being tampered with are allegedly using non-domestic market obligation (DMO) cooking oil so that the repacker reduces the volume content to cover production and raw material costs. In addition, the repacker also raises the selling price so that the highest retail price (HET) at the consumer level will not be achieved.

"The repacker carries out a violation mode by taking advantage of the moment when MinyaKita cooking oil is very much sought after by consumers, especially during the Ramadan and Idul Fitri 2025 moments," said Moga.

Moga added that sanctions for business players who violate the provisions are written warnings, withdrawal of goods from distribution, temporary cessation of business activities, warehouse closure, fines, and/or revocation of business permits.

This is in accordance with Government Regulation Number 29 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of the Trade Sector and Minister of Trade Regulation 18 of 2024 concerning Packaged Palm Cooking Oil and Governance of People's Cooking Oil.

"The imposition of administrative sanctions does not eliminate criminal liability for business players and/or high-risk business activities. As for the related sanctions, we continue to coordinate with the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri)," said Moga.

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