Jakarta, Sept. 25 -- The Indonesian Government has reaffirmed its stance against illegal practices in the national rice trade, vowing to dismantle illicit operations while strengthening price stabilization and safeguarding national food supplies.

Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman said fraudulent practices in the sector had siphoned an estimated Rp90 trillion (approximately US$5.02 billion) from the public.

"There is no room for rice mafias in Indonesia. We are taking them on," Amran said in Jakarta on Friday.

He cited severe price distortions in which fortified rice, which should ideally be sold at Rp13,000 (US$0.73) per kilogram, was instead being marketed for as much as Rp57,00...