To Stabilize Rice Prices, Papua Police Distribute 165 Tons of Rice Through Affordable Food Movement Across Three Provinces
Jayapura — The Papua Regional Police (Polda Papua) launched an Affordable Food Movement by distributing a total of 165 tons of SPHP rice across three provinces: Papua, South Papua, and Central Highlands Papua.
The symbolic release of the rice distribution was led by Deputy Chief of Papua Police, Brigadier General of Police Dr. Faizal Ramadhani, S.Sos., S.I.K., M.H., at the Papua Police Headquarters yard on Thursday (November 6).
The event was attended by several key officials, including the Inspectorate Supervisor of Papua Police (Irwasda), Director of Special Criminal Investigation (Dirreskrimsus), Head of Public Relations, Head of the Papua Regional Office of Bulog, Head of Food Crops, Horticulture and Food Agency of Papua Province, Head of Trade Office, Head of Investment and One-Stop Services Office, as well as several local police chiefs such as Jayapura City Police, Jayapura Police, Sarmi Police, and Keerom Police.
This initiative aims to ensure that communities in the three provinces can obtain essential commodities, particularly rice, at affordable prices ahead of the 2026 Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Out of the total 165 tons, 95 tons will be distributed across Papua Province, including 20 tons handled by the Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation (Ditreskrimsus) and the remaining distributed through eight district police offices—Jayapura City, Jayapura, Keerom, Sarmi, Biak Numfor, Supiori, Waropen, and Yapen Islands Police. The rice will be delivered from Jayapura to Sarmi using 12 trucks.
Meanwhile, South Papua Province will distribute 40 tons of SPHP rice, divided equally among Merauke, Boven Digoel, Asmat, and Mappi Police—each receiving 10 tons.
In Central Highlands Papua Province, 30 tons of SPHP rice will be distributed through Jayawijaya Police (10 tons), Central Mamberamo Police (10 tons), and Lanny Jaya Police (10 tons).
Director of Special Criminal Investigation of Papua Police, Chief Commissioner of Police I Gde Era Adhinata, S.I.K., stated that the Affordable Food Movement represents a strategic effort between the Indonesian National Police (Polri) and State Logistics Agency (Perum Bulog) to maintain price stability and help ease the public’s burden.
“Our duty is not only to maintain security and enforce the law but also to ensure food security for the community. Through this program, we hope to stabilize rice prices and ensure the public’s needs are met,” said Chief Commissioner I Gde Era Adhinata.
He added that the government has set the maximum retail price (HET) for rice in Papua at Rp 13,500 per kilogram, with SPHP rice sold exclusively in 5-kg bags priced at Rp 67,500.
Based on National Police Chief’s Decree No. KEP/1296/VII/2025, dated August 27, 2025, the distribution target for Polda Papua is set at 2,507,029 kilograms or approximately 2,508 tons of SPHP rice.
“If any SPHP rice is found being sold above the official retail price, the public can report it to the Papua Police Food Task Force or local district food task force units,” he emphasized.
He expressed hope that the rice distribution would strengthen food stock availability in the regions and prevent shortages ahead of the year-end period.
“Through this movement, Papua Police hopes that rice distribution across Papua, South Papua, and Central Highlands Papua will run evenly and contribute to maintaining food price stability among local communities,” he concluded.
