MAKASSAR - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman emphasized his commitment to eradicating the food mafia and corrupt practices that have hampered the realization of national food sovereignty.
He conveyed this while attending the graduation agenda at Hasanuddin University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Monday, July 14.
"We have to work hard. We ask for the support of all parties. We are fixing the Ministry of Agriculture, and the results have been seen. Bureaucratic reform has increased sharply, the WTP title has been achieved again, and the achievement of anti-corruption indicators is getting better. In fact, we were asked to give testimonials by the KPK," he said, quoted from a written statement.
He said that currently, the Ministry of Agriculture is reorganizing the entire food supply chain. One of the major cases that was revealed was the circulation of five types of counterfeit fertilizers in the Central Java region, whose potential loss reached Rp 3.2 trillion.
Other food sectors are also in the spotlight, such as the case of cooking oil. The government has handed over 20 mafia perpetrators to law enforcement officials.
Meanwhile, the latest joint investigation revealed the practice of mixing rice by 212 brands, which is estimated to cause potential state losses of up to IDR 99 trillion.
"If this lasts for 10 years, the potential loss could reach Rp. 1,000 trillion. We must finish this together," said Amran.
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He also highlighted the social impact of the practice of mixing rice. One of them is the disparity or price difference between medium and premium rice which can reach Rp. 3,000 per kilogram (kg), so it burdens the small community a lot.
"If rice increases by Rp. 3,000 per kilo, will it not be sorry for our brothers and sisters who are at the poverty line? Not all children of the nation are lucky. If the rice is mixed and then sold more expensive, it is not civilized. We cannot be silent," said Amran.
Amran also said that the government had officially written to the Attorney General, the National Police Chief, and the Food Task Force to follow up on the fraudulent practices. According to him, the big businessmen involved have begun to be investigated.
"Large entrepreneurs have been examined. This must be dealt with firmly, without any choice. If we want to become a superpower country and go to Indonesia Gold, there should be no compromise on corruptors and the food mafia," he said.
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