Screenshot: Instagram/@dewinurizza
Remember the plastic rice scare back in May that got many in the capital worried about whether the rice they were eating was actually some cheap synthetic product?
Even though the authorities got involved (including high levels of government) and eventually put the rumors to rest, the Jakarta Police are now conducting an investigation to find out who was responsible in spreading the false news about plastic rice in the first place.
“We believe this case caused citizens to worry. We will dig deeper into the case,” said Mujiono, director of the Special Crimes Unit at the Jakarta Police, as quoted by Metro TV yesterday.
Mujiono added that the scare also caused a temporary dip in demand for rice in Jabodetabek, particularly in Bekasi, resulting in financial loss for many rice sellers.
The Jakarta Police have called up 32 witnesses for questioning so far.
Back in May, an Instagram user from Bekasi, @dewinurizza, claimed she was sold plastic rice at a market in Bekasi. Her post soon became viral and was covered in the mainstream media, causing a plastic rice scare in the capital until the government conducted lab tests and concluded the rice was actually authentic and not made of plastic.
