Among the huge variety of sate skewers in Indonesia, sate Padang is among the most beloved, particularly in its place of origin, the West Sumatran capital of Padang. But sate lovers in the predominantly Muslim city have been scandalized after two sate vendors were secured by authorities yesterday on suspicion that they were selling sate Padang made using pork instead of the traditional beef — without telling their customers.

The Padang Trade Office disclosed the details of the arrest to the media yesterday night, saying that the sate vendors, who sold under the brand name Sate KMS, had been raided by a joint team consisting of officers from the Health Department and the Civil Service Police (Satpol PP).

According to the head of the trade office, Endrizal, the investigation began after locals reported their suspicions that Sate KMS was using the non-halal flesh of swine in their sate Padang. Samples of Sate KMS’s skewers were then tested by the city’s department of commerce last week and found to contain pork.

“Because of that, the field action was carried out today, and officers also secured the satay sellers and other evidence,” Endrizal said yesterday as quoted by Tempo.

Positif Jual Sate Daging Babi, Aparat Amankan Barang BuktiPADANG – Aparat gabungan dari Tim SK-4 Kota Padang… Posted by Humas Kota Padang on Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Police arrested the husband and wife sate sellers, identified as Evi and Bustami, as well as another person identified as their meat supplier, Stefan. Officers collected evidence in the form of one hundred skewers and about two kilograms of frozen meat suspected of being pork.

Evi claims that she had no idea that the meat they had purchased was pork, and said she had accepted it from Stefan because he offered to deliver it to them directly.

If they’re found guilty of selling pork to unsuspecting customers, the suspects could face up to 2 years in prison and a fine of IDR 4 billion (US$ 283,000) for violating consumer protection laws.

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