AGO Appreciation For Imports Of Sugar, Observer: Government Needs To See Imports Of Other Commodities That Lose The State

Former Trade Minister Thomas Trikasih Lembong or Tom Lembong has been named by the AGO for corruption in sugar imports. (Rizky A-VOI)

JAKARTA - The Attorney General's (AGO) step in investigating allegations of corruption in sugar imports for the 2015-2016 period and dragging former Trade Minister Thomas Lembong needs to be appreciated. However, this sugar import case is only a small part of the chaotic import policy in Indonesia.

This was conveyed by legal observer and anti-corruption activist Hardjuno Wiwoho to reporters, Sunday, October 3.

Therefore, it seems that the government needs to expand the scope of investigations on other commodity imports that have the potential to harm the state.

The AGO is indeed investigating cases of sugar imports, but this should be a momentum to investigate more widely. Not only sugar, but other imports that have the potential to lose the state. For example, rice imports (decurage) which were busy in the public some time ago," said Hardjuno.

Hardjuno assessed that the practice of importing commodities that harm the state is not new. Hardjuno added that the impact of import practices that are not transparent is not only detrimental to the country financially, but also has a direct impact on the national economy and farmers.

The excessive import of sugar, rice, and soybeans clearly hit local commodity market prices. As a result, farmers lost the market and the price of domestic products dropped dramatically," he said.

Dependence on imports without strict controls will only add to our food vulnerability. We need to strengthen food security from within the country," he said.

On July 3, 2024, the People's Democracy Study (SDR) submitted a report on the potential loss to the state for reckless rice imports to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The report concerns the alleged mark-up (price difference) of imports of 2.2 million tons of rice worth IDR 2.7 trillion and state losses due to demurrage imports of rice worth IDR 294.5 billion.

Namun hingga saat ini, laporan tersebut belum ada kabarnya. Terkesan KPK'masuk angin' atau malah laporan itu masuk ke dalam basket sampah di gedung KPK.