DPR Questions KKP Commitment To Capai Swasembada Garam In 2027

The KKP meeting with Commission IV of the DPR RI (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives questioned the commitment of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to achieve self-sufficiency in salt in 2027.

Initially, KP Deputy Minister Didiewan Ashaf said that his party was committed to achieving self-sufficiency in salt in 2027. This means that Indonesia will no longer import salt.

"For this year and next year there will still be some imports. However, in 2027 we are targeting no longer importing salt," said Didit at a Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission IV of the DPR RI at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, September 16.

The Director General of Marine Management of the KKP Koswara explained that Indonesia imported 1.2 million tons of CAP salt last year. Meanwhile, for imports of various foods, it reaches 600,000 tons.

"For (sal imports) various foods are 600,000 tons. So, around 2.1 million tons," he said.

Koswara said that his party had two program plans for self-sufficiency in salt in 2027 to be realized, namely building a National Salt Industry Center (K-SIGN) area in Rote Ndao Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) covering an area of 13,000 hectares and intensification.

Based on the presentation, the KKP will allocate a budget of IDR 1.2 trillion for the acceleration of national plantation development.

Then, the statement received a response from Commission IV of the DPR RI.

Member of Commission IV DPR RI from the PDIP Party faction, Sturman Panjaitan, said Indonesia was only able to meet domestic needs of 2.5 million tons next year, while the need reached 5 million tons.

"This means that there is a shortage of almost 3 million tons. If imports are only 1.2 million tons, where are the others, you know? This must be the same as our perception so that it will not be different later," he said.

Chairman of Commission IV DPR RI Titiek Soeharto also questioned how much money had been spent on the import.

"That's why this, I don't even know how much the rupiah is from the KKP?" explained Titiek.

Then, the KKP could not provide an answer to the statement. "Well, if the rupiah I lack data, ma'am, the amount," explained Koswara.

It did not stop there, Member of Commission IV DPR RI from another PDIP faction, Rokhmin Dahriri, also commented. He wanted to know, the Rp1.2 trillion disbursement from the KKP for self-sufficiency in industrial salt when it could be achieved.

"For consumption, it is really our self-sufficiency, which Sturman asked (swasembada salt) industry with a deposit of Rp1.2 trillion when it was achieved?

"Indeed, we ourselves have been able to produce industrial salt, (because) we have visited one of the factories. From the upstream side, the raw material is boosted by the Deputy Minister, God willing, we don't have to import anymore, because of our ability to produce industrial salt, CAP, pharmaceuticals. God willing, we can," he said.

Finally, Titiek also asked the government to achieve self-sufficiency in salt earlier than the target. "If possible, try earlier than 2027," he concluded.