Kementan Uncovers 133.5 Tons of Bombay Onions, Commission IV of the DPR: Investigate to the Roots

Member of Commission IV of the House of Representatives, Usman Husin, responded to the Ministry of Agriculture's (MoA) move to dismantle the smuggling of 133.5 tons of illegal onions at Tanjung Emas Port, Semarang, Central Java. Usman urged the MoA to thoroughly investigate this smuggling case to its roots.

According to Usman, the Ministry of Agriculture's move is crucial to protect local farmers from the threat of plummeting prices due to the raid of illegal commodities in the domestic market.

"The demolition of the smuggling of onions should be appreciated. The state must be present to protect farmers. If illegal onions are allowed to enter, our farmers will be the most harmed because they lose prices in the market," Usman Husin told reporters, Monday, January 12.

As is known, the Ministry of Agriculture seized 133.5 tons of illegal onions in Semarang, Central Java. The commodity is known to enter without official documents and not through the quarantine process required by national regulations.

Commission IV of the DPR said this situation would harm local farmers who are struggling from the squeeze of production costs and extreme weather. Therefore, Usman urged the government to thoroughly investigate the network behind the smuggling, including pursuing the mastermind.

Usman emphasized that the practice of smuggling food is a serious threat to national food sovereignty that should not be taken lightly by law enforcement officials.

"This smuggling should not be taken lightly. I support the Ministry of Agriculture in dismantling this syndicate to its roots so that it does not become a gateway for smuggling other food commodities," he said.

Apart from the economic aspect, Usman highlighted the health and biological security risks.

According to him, illegal food products that enter without quarantine procedures have the potential to carry dangerous diseases or bacteria that can damage the national agricultural ecosystem and endanger consumer health.

"We never know the origin and safety of illegal onions. This is dangerous for agriculture and public health. Food safety must be a priority for the country," he said.

This legislator from the NTT District also encouraged the government to continue to tighten supervision at all import entry points and ensure that food distribution is transparent. Usman hopes that the domestic market will provide a fair space for local products so that onion farmers can achieve a prosperous standard of living.

"Onion farmers must be profitable and prosperous. The state must not lose out to illegal practices that damage the market and kill small farmers' businesses," he concluded.