Jakarta, Aug. 3 -- Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said Indonesia's Food Task Force has named 39 suspects in 38 cases linked to alleged irregularities in the rice sector, as authorities intensified efforts to dismantle food cartels and protect consumers.

Speaking in Jakarta on Sunday, Amran said the government was expanding inspections of fortified rice and other rice products to curb unfair trade practices and ensure consumers received quality food at reasonable prices.

"The public keeps asking where the suspects are. They have been identified, and the legal process is under way. The state must not lose to practices that harm the people," Amran said.

He said the government, working with the National Food Agency, the Nation...