Jakarta, Nov. 25 -- Indonesia's agriculture minister vowed that not "a single litre" of imported rice will enter the country, underscoring President Prabowo Subianto's directive to maintain national self-sufficiency despite falling global prices.

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman made the statement after a parliamentary hearing on Monday, responding to an alleged illegal shipment involving company PT MSG in Sabang, Aceh, where police sealed a warehouse containing imported Thai rice.

He said the violation stemmed partly from Sabang's status as a free-trade zone, but stressed that the area remains bound by national policy prohibiting rice imports to safeguard food sovereignty.

Amran said President Prabowo has been clear that Indon...