TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A number of narratives on social media platforms, including Instagram [archive], Threads, and Facebook, claim that the Indonesian government is planning to export rice to Malaysia for Rp10,000 per kilogram.
This price is substantially lower than the domestic Highest Retail Price (HET). Under current National Food Agency (Bapanas) zoning regulations, the HET for premium rice stands between Rp14,900 and Rp15,800 per kilogram, varying by region across Indonesia.
Is it true that the Indonesian government is selling rice to Malaysia for Rp10,000 per kilogram?
FACT CHECK
Tempo verified these claims through direct interviews and credible news sources. The findings reveal that no final decision has been made regarding the export price of Indonesian rice to Malaysia. Furthermore, state logistics agency Bulog has guaranteed that the final price tag will surpass the domestic HET.
A Fake Visual
Social media users have been circulating a photo depicting President Prabowo Subianto and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shaking hands against a backdrop of stacked rice sacks. However, the image has been digitally altered.
The original visual was extracted from an Antara news video capturing Prabowo and Anwar Ibrahim’s meeting at the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 27, 2025. Their actual discussions centered on bilateral relations, particularly labor cooperation.
Still in Negotiations
Prabowo personally addressed Bulog’s readiness to tap into international rice export markets during the launch of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative outlet in Nganjuk Regency, East Java, on Saturday, May 16, 2026.
Midway through his speech, Prabowo called Bulog President Director Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani to the stage to explicitly warn him against underpricing Indonesian rice in foreign markets. "Don't sell it too cheap," Prabowo said at the 53-second mark of the recording.
In response to the directive, Bulog is scheduling a visit to Sarawak, Malaysia, to iron out the details of the proposed rice export plan. Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani reiterated that the export price of Indonesian rice to Malaysia will be positioned above the domestic HET to protect farmers' margins and boost state revenue.
"We will see how things look after the discussion there [in Malaysia]. Will it be a port-to-port arrangement, or will they purchase directly from us at Tanjung Priok Port?" Rizal said, as quoted by Antara on May 29, 2026.
Bulog's Public Relations and Institutional Manager, Tomi Wijaya, confirmed that the rumored price tag of Rp10,000 per kilogram is baseless. "The rice export plan to Malaysia is still in its exploratory stages, so no agreement has been reached regarding either volume or pricing," Tomi told Tempo on Monday, June 8, 2026.
He assured that Bulog will execute policies in accordance with government directives and existing regulations. "In principle, any rice export opportunities explored by the government will always prioritize national stock adequacy, domestic price stability, and the welfare of Indonesian farmers and the people," he said.
CONCLUSION
Following a thorough verification process, Tempo concludes that the claim stating Indonesia is selling rice to Malaysia for Rp10,000 per kilogram is false.
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