Commission IV Of The House Of Representatives Encourages Evaluation Of Sugar Commerce Procedures To Achieve Food Self-Sufficiency

Illustration: Photo: Doc. ANTARA

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Alex Indra Lukman, encourages a thorough evaluation of the sugar trading system in Indonesia, both for crystal sugar refined (GKR) and sugar produced by farmers.

This evaluation is needed to achieve the national food self-sufficiency target as announced by President Prabowo Subianto.

Because, according to Alex, the current condition of sugar trading still leaves problems that have the potential to thwart food self-sufficiency targets.

Moreover, he continued, President Prabowo's food self-sufficiency target includes the absence of imports of rice, corn, and sugar consumption by 2025.

Gula raffinasi dan sugar farmers itu, menggarap pasar berbeda. Rafination memasok kebutuhan industri, sementara sugar petani untuk konsumsi publik. Jika sugar raffinasi masuk pasar konsumsi, artinya ada salah di tata jaga," ujar Alex kepada wartawan, Sabtu, 13 September.

Alex also highlighted the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) No. 17 of 2022 which clearly prohibits the circulation of GKR in retail markets.

He explained that this type of sugar can only be supplied for the industry provided for business license ownership and other supporting documents.

The chairman of the House of Representatives commission in charge of agricultural affairs also expressed his concern about the weakness of supervision in the field, which caused refined sugar to enter traditional markets. According to Alex, this condition has a negative impact on sugarcane farmers.

"In addition to hitting our sugarcane farmers, refined sugar is sold to traditional markets, of course it will endanger public health which will ultimately have an impact on the health sector," said Alex.

Regarding the assignment to food SOEs (ID Food) to absorb sugar for farmers who are not absorbed by the market, Alex emphasized the importance of a measurable and accountable implementation scheme.

"The money disbursed by the government through the Anagata Nusantara Resources Investment Management Agency (Danantara) amounting to Rp1.5 trillion must be accountable for its use in an accountable manner," said Alex.

"Because the establishment of the Danantara is not intended as a public service. Don't just carelessly use the state money that has been placed in the Danantara," continued the PDIP legislator from the West Sumatra I electoral district.

On the other hand, Alex appreciated the steps taken by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Sudaryono, who decided to temporarily suspend GKR imports.

According to him, this termination of imports protects national sugar cane farmers while increasing absorption of domestic consumption sugar.

Kendati demikian, Alex tetap mengingatkan distribusi GKR yang tidak tepat sasaran masih menjadi masalah walaupun impor belum mencapai kuota penuh.

Menurutnya, realisasi impor GKR sebesar 70 persen saja, telah terjadi praktek ‘salah kamar’ dalam distribusi hingga akhirnya merusak pasar.

"Kita harus menghitung ulang kebutuhan industri agar tata niaga yang berkeadilan bisa diwujudkan,” pungkas Alex.

However, Alex still reminded that the distribution of GKR that was not on target was still a problem even though imports had not yet reached the full quota.

According to him, the realization of GKR imports of only 70 percent has occurred, there has been a practice of miscaring' in distribution until it finally damaged the market.

"We have to recalculate the needs of the industry so that fair trade procedures can be realized," concluded Alex.