Asked By A Politician From Gerindra, KKP Revealed The Reasons For Importing 3 Million Tons Of Salt

JAKARTA - Member of Commission IV DPR Kanjeng Raden Tumenggung (KRT) Darori Wonodipuro asked the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to explain the domestic salt stock. The KKP was also asked to explain the reasons related to the government's plan to import salt.

Kanjeng said that there were input from various parties, especially the people of Madura, Rembang, Kebumen, asking that there would be an import of 3 million tons of salt. The reason is, the area is a national salt producer.

"Where did it come from? For what? Please explain, there are so many people's salt available, so many industries, so much must be imported, please explain the KKP minister," asked the Gerindra politician at a working meeting at the DPR building, Monday, March 29.

Responding to this question, the KKP revealed the reason for the government to import 3 million tons of salt this year. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries said the import was due to the remaining national salt stock of 4.45 million tons.

KKP Secretary General Antam Novambar explained that the domestic demand for salt reaches 7.5 million tons. This means, he said, the national salt supply is less than 3 million tons.

"Imports of 3 million tons were obtained from data that the initial stock and availability were 4.45 million tons. The total requirement was 7.5 million, so it's less than 3 million tons," he said at the same meeting.

Antam said the salt import decision was made during a limited coordination meeting (Rakortas) at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs. However, the government gave conditions for the industry to absorb 1.5 million tons of people's salt.

"Imports of 3 million tonnes were decided on with a note that 1.5 million tonnes of people's salt had to be absorbed. This will be evaluated every six months," said Antam.

However, Antam ensures that imports will not be carried out during the main harvest season. The government will also pay attention to which ports will be the entry points for the import of the salt.

"The place of entry of imports will be regulated by the KKP by paying attention to industrial locations that need salt," said Antam.