Drama Di Kementan! Amran Ungkap Tekanan Dan Sandiwara Birekrasi

Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday (17/4/2025). (ANTARA)

Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman revealed that there were lobbying efforts from a number of parties, including officials, who asked him to forgive an observer suspected of being involved in a fictitious project worth IDR 5 billion within the Ministry of Agriculture.

Many lobbied, including officials. They said, "Please forgive". But I firmly refuse. I defend the little people," Amran said, quoted from ANTARA, Friday, April 18.

Amran explained that the observer was suspected of spreading opinions without basis and being involved in fictitious projects that were detrimental to state finances.

He rejects all forms of compromise because according to him, this case concerns the interests of the people, not personal matters that can be resolved through forgiveness alone.

The one who lobbied was not one or two people. But I said no. This is for the sake of the people, not for me personally. I will not forgive," he said.

Amran admitted that he had a lot of pressure to be soft, but he chose to continue to side with the farmers and small communities who were harmed by these fictitious projects. He considered this firm stance to be a form of moral responsibility and real alignment with the people.

"If I have to bear the risk because of this attitude, I am ready. The important thing is that I defend the interests of the Indonesian farmers and nation," he said.

He also mentioned the practice of 'drama' in the bureaucracy which he thought should end. Amran called on officials to dare to be honest and not pretend.

"Don't oppress the people. Don't play a role. Everyone will be held accountable in the end," he said.

Amran said the observer in question was not a foreigner in the Ministry of Agriculture. Although he did not mention his name or initials, he revealed that the observer was a professor from a well-known university who had previously received projects in his ministry.

However, the results of the internal audit show 23 violations in the process of procuring goods and services, including the procurement of unused goods and projects that are not in accordance with the contract.

After I returned to office, there was no more room for corrupt practices. Because of that, he started making tendentious and baseless criticisms," he said.

Amran emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture is open to constructive and data-based criticism. However, he will not tolerate actions that harm the state.

"Integrity is a fixed price. Anyone who is proven corrupt, whether it's observers, partners, or internal employees of the Ministry of Agriculture, we will take firm action," he said.

According to him, no party is above the law. All those who are guilty must be held accountable before the law.

"Don't because he's an observer and then feel lawless. We will not let corruptors roam in the Ministry of Agriculture in any form," he concluded.

Amran also asked the public to be patient waiting for the ongoing legal process, and emphasized that the government is committed to enforcing the law fairly indiscriminately.