Jakarta. Indonesia’s Customs and Excise Directorate has firmly denied claims that it authorized the entry of 250 tons of rice allegedly smuggled from Thailand into the country via the Sabang free trade zone (FTZ).

The allegation surfaced after Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman announced that the shipment had entered Indonesia without central government approval, raising concern as the country pursues self-sufficiency in rice.

Customs Director General Djaka Budhi Utama said on Monday that his office did not clear the shipment.

“Of course, we do not allow illegal rice imports. Once the goods entered our territory, they were immediately seized,” Djaka told reporters after a meeting with lawmakers.

According to Djaka, the Sabang Free Trade Zone and Port Agency (BPKS) -- not the Customs Office -- issued the entry permit. He added that Customs would ensure the seized rice does not reach the domestic market unless approved by the central government, and that the police would investigate the import attempt.

Authorities confiscated the sacks of rice from a warehouse belonging to Multazam Sabang Group, where the shipment was stored on November 22 after arriving in Indonesia on November 16.

Government data indicate that Aceh has a surplus of 871,400 tons of rice, with a supply of 1.35 million tons exceeding the demand of 667,700 tons. Sabang -- despite its small geographical size -- also records a surplus of 970 tons, with a supply of 5,911 tons and a demand of 4,940 tons.

“Aceh has a rice surplus, and so does Sabang. There is no reason for them to import rice,” Minister Andi said earlier.

According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), Indonesia’s rice production in 2025 is projected to reach 34.77 million tons, an increase of 13.54 percent year on year.

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