Ahead Of 100 Working Days, The Ministry Of SOEs Focuses On Supporting Food And Energy Self-Sufficiency

Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir. (Mery Handayani/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka government will enter 100 working days of the Red and White Cabinet on January 28. SOE Minister Erick Thohir said SOEs are focused on pursuing food and energy self-sufficiency.

"BUMN fully supports and collaborates intensively with various ministries, agencies, and institutions in realizing food self-sufficiency programs," Erick said, quoted Wednesday, January 22.

Erick said the distribution of fertilizers to food commodities was a crucial point to achieve food self-sufficiency. Therefore, he said, the Ministry of SOEs encourages synergy between red operator companies, such as Bulog, RNI, and Pupuk Indonesia.

Erick said Bulog was the main food off-taker, in collaboration with the relevant ministries to ensure that food distribution was right on target. Meanwhile, Pupuk Indonesia, focuses on providing fertilizers.

"In addition, PTPN supports the allocation of strategic agricultural land that can increase food security throughout Indonesia," he said.

In addition, Erick said the logistics sector also plays an important role in achieving food self-sufficiency. Such as, Pelindo, KAI, and InJourney Airports which contribute to reducing logistics costs.

"Then increase connectivity between regions, and facilitate the distribution of basic necessities," he said.

For example, said Erick, KAI implements more efficient logistics distribution through integration of inter-regional transportation modes. Meanwhile, Pelindo supports the smooth running of exports-imports, including distribution of food and energy.

In addition, Erick said to support downstreaming of industry as well as self-sufficiency in energy and food, the Ministry of SOEs is also working with the Ministry of Public Works in infrastructure development that supports logistics efficiency.

According to Erick, better infrastructure, including the construction of toll roads, ports, and other facilities, allows the distribution of goods and energy to be cheaper and faster.

"In turn, it supports the needs of the national industry and food sector," he said.

Erick said that apart from self-sufficiency in food and energy, SOEs also jumped in to strengthen the defense system, through the production and provision of defense equipment.

Furthermore, Erick said PT Pindad was responsible for providing land defense products. Meanwhile, PT PAL is for marine defense. Then, PT Dirgantara Indonesia for air defense, and PT Dahana which produces ammunition raw materials.

"This SOE is working together to support the needs of an increasingly advanced defense system, in order to maintain Indonesia's sovereignty. This step also leads to strengthening domestic industries that not only rely on imports, but can produce the necessary defense equipment in the country," he explained.