Agriculture Minister Exposes Allegations of Project Mafia and Rp3.3 Billion Seed Scheme

Jakarta — Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman has exposed three alleged irregularities in the agriculture sector, comprising a project mafia, problematic civil servants (ASN), and a seed scheme valued at Rp3.3 billion that is currently under investigation by law enforcement authorities. ‘There is no room for compromise. If anyone is involved, including from within the Ministry of Agriculture, I will ensure they are dismissed,’ the minister said at a press conference in Jakarta on Tuesday. Amran affirmed there will be no tolerance for project mafias, budget abuses, or suspected manipulation of agricultural aid programs that harm the people and hinder the nation’s drive for self-sufficiency in food. ‘As per President Prabowo’s directive, we are asked to realise food self-sufficiency, and the law must be upheld whenever anyone tries to play games,’ Amran added. He noted that, despite the national rice stock reaching around 5.3 million tonnes, the government is strengthening oversight and action against mafias who abuse the sizeable agricultural budget for personal gain. The first case disclosed involved alleged fraud masked as a network of projects within the Ministry of Agriculture. An individual with the initials H is accused of asking up to Rp300 million, using the name of the Ministry and promising projects to victims. In Amran’s view, this modus operandi is an old mafia tactic that exploits the institution’s name to defraud the public. He called on the police to investigate to the roots and to ensure anyone proven to be involved will be dealt with firmly. ‘If anyone uses the Ministry of Agriculture’s name to solicit money, do not trust it. The procurement system at the Ministry is now digital via single submission and e-catalogue, so there is no room for project manipulation,’ he said. The second case concerns the dismissal of an agricultural ministry civil servant with the initials C, accused of misappropriating nearly Rp500 million. The formal dismissal occurred on 7 May 2026, and the individual is currently on a wanted list (DPO). Amran emphasised that abusing state funds is a betrayal of the people’s mandate, especially as the government is working hard to strengthen national food security. ‘This is public money. There can be no compromise. The person has been dismissed and we call for the strictest possible legal action against them,’ he stated. The third case relates to suspected irregularities in a coconut seed breeding program across five areas: Banten, North Sulawesi, West Java, Gorontalo, and Indragiri Hilir in Riau. Field inspections revealed discrepancies between the number of seeds listed in the order and the actual seedling numbers delivered. A potential shortfall of 136,795 seedlings, valued at around Rp3.3 billion, was identified. The breakdown is Banten: 44,654 seedlings worth Rp799 million; North Sulawesi: 20,518 seedlings worth Rp976 million; West Java: 38,654 seedlings worth Rp771 million; Gorontalo: 1,049 seedlings worth Rp51 million; and Indragiri Hilir: 31,920 seedlings worth Rp718 million. The minister stressed that the case is highly serious because coconut downstream development is a government priority to add value and strengthen domestically produced plantation-based industries. ‘We checked the field directly and found the seed numbers to be insufficient. This cannot be played with as it concerns farmers’ livelihoods. If the seeds are faulty, farmers’ yields will be affected even if the program itself is free,’ Amran said. He added that the Ministry has ordered the Inspectorate General to undertake a comprehensive inspection with police authorities and the Food Task Force. If criminal elements are found, all parties involved must be prosecuted without bias, and state losses must be recovered. ‘If proven, they must be punished to the fullest extent. That is the people’s request, and the public longs for the firmness as directed by President Prabowo,’ Amran concluded.