PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA – As Ramadan 2025 begins, the demand for cooking oil continues to rise. In response, the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag), through the Directorate General of Consumer Protection and Trade Compliance (Ditjen PKTN), has intensified its oversight of MINYAKITA distribution to ensure stable supply and pricing. From November 2024 to March 12, 2025, authorities inspected 316 businesses across 23 provinces, revealing violations by 66 of them.
Director General of PKTN, Moga Simatupang, emphasized the government’s commitment to enforcing regulations. “Among those inspected, 66 businesses at both the distributor and retailer levels were found to have violated the rules and have been sanctioned accordingly,” he stated in a written announcement, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com on Tuesday (March 18, 2025).
The investigation uncovered several violations affecting consumers directly, including:
- Selling MINYAKITA above the Domestic Price Obligation (DPO) and the Maximum Retail Price (HET).
- Distributors selling to other retailers instead of directly to end consumers, inflating prices due to an extended supply chain.
- Retailers failing to limit sales, leading to supply imbalances.
- Businesses operating without the required Warehouse Registration Certificate (TDG) and Standard Business Classification (KBLI).
- Companies withholding information from regulatory authorities.
- Repackaging MINYAKITA with less volume than stated on the label.
To address these violations, Kemendag is enforcing penalties under Government Regulation No. 29/2021 on Trade Administration and Minister of Trade Regulation No. 18/2024 on Packaged Palm Cooking Oil and Its Distribution. Offenders face escalating sanctions, including product withdrawal, business suspension, warehouse closure, and potential revocation of business licenses.
Additionally, under the Consumer Protection Law No. 8/1999, businesses must ensure accurate product weights and measurements. Those found guilty face up to five years in prison or fines of up to IDR 2 billion.
To maintain sufficient supply during Ramadan and ahead of Eid al-Fitr 2025, Kemendag has directed producers to double MINYAKITA distribution. This mandate, issued in a letter from the Director General of Domestic Trade on February 28, 2025, aims to stabilize prices amid rising demand.
Field inspections have already identified 40 producers and repackers selling products with incorrect volumes, prompting administrative sanctions and mandatory corrective actions under local government supervision.
Moga Simatupang reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment, stating, “We, along with the National Police’s Food Task Force, will continue monitoring producers, distributors, and retailers to ensure smooth distribution, adequate supply, and compliance with MINYAKITA’s pricing regulations.”
For potential criminal violations, Kemendag will collaborate with law enforcement to pursue legal action. These strict measures aim to ensure MINYAKITA remains accessible and affordable for consumers throughout Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr 2025. (P2)
