CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN CONSUMER DISPUTE RESOLUTION: THE CASE OF ADULTERATED JDR PREMIUM BRAND RICE IN PALANGKA RAYA CITY

This study aims to: (1) analyze the forms of consumer protection regarding the distribution of adulterated JDR Premium brand rice in Palangka Raya City; and (2) analyze the class action mechanism as an effort to resolve consumer disputes in Palangka Raya City, based on Supreme Court Regulation Number 1 of 2002 concerning Class Action Procedures. This research employs an empirical juridical approach, utilizing interviews with members of the Consumer Protection Division at the Central Kalimantan Provincial Department of Trade and Industry, judges at the Palangka Raya District Court, and the affected consumers. The results indicate that JDR Premium rice fails to meet the quality standards mandated by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) 6128:2020 and is sold above the maximum retail price. These practices violate Law Number 8 of 1999 on Consumer Protection and the National Food Agency Regulation Number 7 of 2023. Although the Central Kalimantan Provincial Department of Trade and Industry has implemented preventive and corrective protection measures, their effectiveness is hindered by the inactivity of the Palangka Raya City Consumer Dispute Resolution Agency and the weak bargaining position of individual consumers. This case fulfills the requirements for a class action under Supreme Court Regulation Number 1 of 2002. Given the large number of victims sharing identical facts, legal bases, and types of losses, this mechanism serves as the most proportional and efficient dispute resolution option for collectively aggrieved consumers.