Zulhas' Polemic In Distributing Cooking Oil While Campaigning: PPP Says It's Not Good, PAN Dodges

Zulkifli Hasan/Photo: Antara

JAKARTA - PPP considers the actions of PAN Chairman Zulkifli Hasan (Zulhas) regarding the distribution of free cooking oil while asking that his daughter, Futri Zulya Savitri, to be elected in the 2024 General Election, is not good. Moreover, the packaged cooking oil distributed is made by the Ministry of Trade.

Member of Commission VI DPR RI PPP faction Achmad Baidowi (Awiek), said that despite the capacity of Zulhas who was present at the PAN event as general chairman, the position as Minister of Trade (Mendag) remained attached.

Moreover, said Awiek, the Ministry of Trade has just released Minyakita as a solution to the cooking oil problem, the issue of which is still sensitive.

"Even though he was present at the PAN event, he is the Minister of Trade whose main duties are related to trade. One of them is related to cooking oil, which is a very sensitive issue," Awiek told reporters, Tuesday, July 12. Therefore, the Secretary of the PPP Faction considered Zulhas' action to be not good. Moreover, the price of cooking oil is still quite expensive.

"There are many ways, but indeed the impression is not good in public, the impression is not good," said Awiek.

"Because the problem in question is also attached to the position of the Minister of Trade, one of which is tasked with cooking oil, which we know is currently rare and expensive," he added.

Awiek suggested that Zulhas should be more careful in his actions. The former chairman of the MPR, he said, should not have participated in the cooking oil campaign to elect his daughter.

"So if I may suggest that Mr. Zulkifli should be careful. Even if it is related to PAN events and related to campaigns or cooking oil socialization, even to elect his daughter, it would be better if the campaigner was a PAN politician other than Mr. Zul so that there is no impression of what the term is the conflict of interest, conflict of interest here," said Awiek.

PAN Calls Zulhas Present as Chairman, Invites Other Parties to Buy Minyakita

The chairman of the PAN faction of the DPR RI, Saleh Partaonan Daulay, responds to the polemic over the distribution of Minyakita packaged oil by the Chairperson of PAN and the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan at a cheap market event in Telukbetung Timur, Bandar Lampung, Saturday, July 9.

Saleh stated that the Cheap PANsar (cheap market) in Lampung was purely a party activity. Incidentally, he said, at the event, the distribution of cheap cooking oil of Minyakita made by the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) was carried out.

"Because this is a party activity, the procurement of cooking oil is done independently. It means that party officials and PAN candidates buy it from distributors. Then, it is distributed to the public for free," Saleh told reporters, Tuesday, July 12.

Saleh continued, that this kind of activity should be appreciated. Because his intention was to help the community. It also shows that the government is able to lower the price of cooking oil.

"While we know that the issue of cooking oil has caused a lot of trouble for the community, especially women," said the North Sumatran legislator.

The chairman of the PAN DPP explained that Zulhas' presence in the activity was in his capacity as the general chairman of the party. As the general chairman, said Saleh, of course, he has the responsibility to explain what is being done.

"In this case, he was given a very short time by the president to handle cooking oil. And Alhamdulillah it worked. Well, that's what he wanted to convey to the public," Saleh explained.

Meanwhile, regarding the campaign for his daughter, who is also the administrator of the PAN DPP and the Lampung 1 PAN Legislative Candidate, Futri Zulya Savitri, according to Saleh, it is only natural for a general chairman to ask the public to vote for candidates from PAN. "There is a good opportunity to meet with the community. He conveyed the decline in cooking oil prices. Of course, it is not wrong, if at the same time he asked to choose PAN candidates. That way, there will be continuity of the program and struggle for the interests of the community," said Saleh.

Therefore, Saleh asked all parties not to misinterpret this. Because, he said, the purpose of the distribution of Minyakita is good.

"Don't even misinterpret it. I see that on social media there are even those who understand it from the wrong angle. But we believe that the wider community understands the message, spirit, and purpose of the activity," he said.

At the same time, Saleh added, to promote cheap packaged oil as a solution to the scarcity and high price of cooking oil. In fact, this PAN politician invited other party cadres to buy Minyakita to be distributed to people in need.

"For the community, whoever the person is, whatever the party, they are also allowed to buy as many oils as possible. We encourage and appreciate it. Moreover, the purchased oils are distributed free of charge to the public. Please contact the distributor. goodness. The spirit is emphasized 'Competing in doing good'," Saleh said.