Substitute Lutfi As Trade Minister, Zulhas Is Reminded Not To Communicate With Palm Oil Company Bosses

Zulkifli Hasan when he was sworn in as Minister of Trade (Photo: BPMI Setpres/Muchlis Jr)

JAKARTA - The chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Zulkifli Hasan or Zulhas, who has just been appointed as the Minister of Trade, has been asked not to communicate with the bosses of palm oil companies. This request came from the Coordinator of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Society (MAKI) Boyamin Saiman.

"Zulhas must avoid communicating with palm oil companies who previously received permits for oil palm plantations from the transition of forest when he became Minister of Forestry," said Boyamin, Thursday, June 16.

This request arose because of Zulhas' track record. Moreover, the Ministry of Trade also deals with imports and exports which may be related to these companies.

For information, Zulhas served as Minister of Forestry in the era of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. A number of controversies occurred at that time, including the number of land conversions.

In fact, his name was dragged into the case that ensnared the former Governor of Riau, Annas Maamun. He was once called by the KPK to explain the land use change in 2014 but did not appear twice.

"The suggestion not to meet is to prevent a conflict of interest and for Zulhas' own good," said Boyamin.

Not only that, Zulhas was asked to immediately fix the governance in his ministry. Moreover, when it was led by M. Lutfi, an official in the ministry was caught in a corruption case.

There were two cases that were highlighted when Lutfi was in office, namely the alleged corruption in granting export facilities for CPO and its derivative products, including cooking oil, which occurred from January 2021 to March this year and corruption in imports of iron or steel in 2016-2021.

"It's simple. (Zulhas, ed) must clean up, improve governance and most importantly, don't repeat the same thing again," he said.

Previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) inaugurated Zulhas on Wednesday, June 15 yesterday at the State Palace, Jakarta.

Apart from Zulhas, former TNI Commander Hadi Tjahjanto was also inaugurated as Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency (ATR/BPN) replacing Sofyan Djalil.

Not only ministers, Jokowi also inaugurated three deputy ministers. They are John Wempi Wetipo as Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Afriansyah Noor as Deputy Minister of Manpower, and Raja Juli Antoni as Deputy Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN).

After the inauguration was carried out, Jokowi said he chose those who were inducted because of their experience and track record.

"Yes, we see all the track records of experience then especially for managerial skills because now it is not only macro but also micro that must be done in detail," said Jokowi after the inauguration.

He then said Zulhas had a long track record. So, Jokowi believes he will be able to become the Minister of Trade who will solve the food problem.

"Currently, food issues related to the people require field experience, requiring work that goes into the field to see firsthand the related issues, especially those related to the needs of the people," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.