Celios Considers The Multiple Positions Of Minister Of Agriculture Amran To Be Head Of The Food Agency To Violate The Law

Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman (photo: Between)

JAKARTA - The Center of Economic and Law Studies (Celios) assesses that the appointment of Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman as Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) violates the applicable Law (UU).

The law that was violated was Law Number 61 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 39 of 2008 concerning the Ministry of State.

Director of Digital Economy Celios, Nailul Huda, said that Amran's appointment as Head of Badanas violated Article 32 of the law.

Article 32 prohibits ministers from holding concurrent positions as state officials, commissioners, or directors of private or state companies, and forbids multiple positions as leaders of organizations financed by the state.

"Ministers are prohibited from serving as heads of agencies whose financial sources are from the state budget, including government agencies. But yes again, the current government does not consider laws to violate again and again," Nailul told VOI, Tuesday, October 14.

Nailul also mentioned that the practice of concurrent positions is now increasingly occurring in the government. He said Amran's appointment adds to the length of the list of ministers who hold concurrent positions.

For example, continued Nailul, Rosan Roeslani who also serves as Minister of Investment and Downstreaming concurrently CEO of Danantara Indonesia. Then, Deputy Minister of Digital Communication Angga Raka who also serves as Head of the Government Communications Agency at the State Palace.

"After Rosan, Brian, Angga Raka, Amran has now added, all parts of Prabowo's cabinet have concurrent positions in government agencies. If it weren't for not being able to read the law, that would be a violation," he said.

Nailul also highlighted the potential for conflicts of interest that arise due to the dual position. He explained that Bapanas has the function of coordinating, formulating, and establishing policies related to supply, price stabilization, and food insecurity.

Meanwhile, he continued, the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for increasing domestic food supply.

"How do the Head of Badanas call the Minister to sit together regarding this food without any organizational interests," he said.

Furthermore, Nailul also warned that the policy of stabilizing food prices would be biased towards agricultural interests regardless of the consumer side.

The price stabilization policy will be biased towards agricultural interests regardless of the consumer side. Amran explained that it was related to the calculation of rice availability which was always claimed to be a surplus but prices remained high," he said.

Previously, it was reported that President Prabowo Subianto dismissed Arief Prasetyo Adi from his position as Head of the National Food Agency (Bapanas) and appointed Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman to fill the position.

The dismissal and appointment are contained in Presidential Decree (Keppres) Number 116 of 2025 concerning the Dismissal and Appointment of the Head of the National Food Agency, which was set in Jakarta on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

In considering the Presidential Decree, President Prabowo stated that the replacement was carried out in order to increase the effectiveness of implementing government duties in the food sector.

"Looking at it, it is necessary to dismiss the Head of the National Food Agency who was appointed with Presidential Decree Number 7/M of 2022," the Presidential Decree reads, quoted Friday, October 10.

Through this Presidential Decree, the government has appointed Amran Sulaiman to serve as Head of Badanas, with financial rights and other facilities in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.

"This Presidential Decree comes into effect on the date of stipulation," reads the Presidential Decree.