Elected 2024 Presidential Candidates Are Expected To Provide Protection To Tobacco Farmers

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Association of Farmers and Tobacco Workers of the Archipelago (APPTN) hopes that the president and vice president elected in the 2024 General Election can provide protection to the industry and the tobacco business ecosystem in Indonesia.

The National Coordinator of APPTN Samukrah after submitting a letter containing aspirations to three pairs of candidates in Jakarta, Saturday, explained that tobacco is not only limited to commodities, but a source of livelihood, pride, and part of Indonesian culture that has been passed down from generation to generation.

"For us, tobacco is not just a commodity, but is a source of livelihood and pride of Indonesian culture that has been passed down from generation to generation for generations. Thus, it is important for us to maintain this knowledge of planting so that it remains sustainable," said Samukrah, quoted from ANTARA, Sunday, February 4.

Therefore, APPTN hopes that the letter containing these aspirations can be an reflection and consideration for each candidate pair.

The reason is, Samukrah assesses that tobacco workers and farmers are threatened with losing their livelihood sources considering the plan to prohibit the total tobacco products as stated in the Draft Health Government Regulation (RPP).

In the same draft rule, farmers and tobacco workers are encouraged to switch to planting other commodities.

"We want to convey that the various rules that apply to the tobacco ecosystem so far have been quite burdensome for farmers and tobacco workers," he said.

In his aspiration letter, APPTN expressed three hopes, namely first, fair policies and in favor of the sustainability of the livelihoods of farmers and tobacco workers in Indonesia.

Second, APPTN hopes that elected leaders can remove articles in the Draft Government Regulation (RPP) of Health that threaten the sustainability of farmers' livelihoods.

Third, APPTN hopes that elected leaders will involve farmers and tobacco workers in the preparation of various policies, including the preparation of tobacco articles in the Health RPP so that there are balanced rules.

APPTN, which is centered in Pamekasan, East Java, currently consists of 1,500 farmers and tobacco workers.

The General Election Commission (KPU) of the Republic of Indonesia has determined three participants in the 2024 presidential election, namely the pair Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar number 01, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka number 02, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD number 03.

The 2024 election campaign period will take place from November 28, 2023 to February 10, 2024. After the campaign period, there will be a calm period on 11-13 February 2024. Then, the vote to elect the president-vice president and legislative members will take place simultaneously on February 14, 2024.