Jokowi's Complete Statement About The Irony Of The Largest Palm Oil Producer Who Has A Scarcity Of Cooking Oil

President Joko Widodo at Ciawi Market (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Laily Rachev)

JAKARTA - President Jokowi has chosen to ensure that the domestic demand for cooking oil is fulfilled first, rather than continuing to open up hard exports. When all stocks are safe, the export ban is not impossible to lift.

President Jokowi speaks from the Merdeka Palace, Wednesday 27 April. He is well aware that the decision to ban the export of raw materials for cooking oil and cooking oil raises pros and cons. But Jokowi did not waver.

The following is President Jokowi's full statement that he will prioritize ensuring the community's needs first.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I am following closely the dynamics in society regarding the decision to ban the export of cooking oil and cooking oil raw materials. I want to emphasize, for the government, the basic needs of the people are the main thing. This is the highest priority in the consideration of the government every time it makes a decision.

As the largest palm oil producing country in the world, ironically, we actually have difficulty getting cooking oil. I ask the palm oil business players to look at this problem better, more clearly, and I as president cannot allow that to happen. It has been four months of scarcity and the government has tried various policies, but they have not been effective.

Therefore, the government decided to ban the export of raw materials for cooking oil and cooking oil to foreign countries. The prohibition applies to exports from all parts of Indonesia, including from bonded areas. This prohibition does have a negative impact, it has the potential to reduce production, farmers' harvests that are not absorbed. However, the purpose of this policy is to increase domestic supply until supply is abundant.

I ask for awareness of the palm oil industry to meet domestic needs. Prioritize domestic first, fulfill people's needs first. In fact, if you look at the production capacity, domestic needs can be easily met. The volume of raw material for cooking oil that we produce and export is far greater than domestic demand, there is still a very large capacity remaining. If all of us are willing and have the intention to fulfill people's needs as a priority, domestic needs can easily be met.

This is my benchmark for evaluating the policy. Once domestic needs have been met, of course I will lift the export ban. Because I know the country needs taxes, the country needs foreign exchange, the country needs a trade balance surplus. But meeting the basic needs of the people is a more important priority.

That's all I can say. Thank you. Wassalamu'alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.