Agriculture Minister Revokes Subsidised Fertiliser Distribution Permit Following Student Report
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman revoked the subsidised fertiliser distribution permit after receiving a report from students regarding alleged violations, as a firm step to improve governance for Indonesia’s food productivity.
“It has been revoked. It was revoked in just 10 minutes because (the revocation was done) online. Thank you to the students; this is what we expect,” the Minister said after a discussion with several Student Executive Boards (BEM) from various universities across Indonesia in Jakarta on Wednesday.
The Minister demonstrated a quick and open response to student aspirations in the discussion with BEMs from across Indonesia held in Jakarta.
In the forum attended by around 118 student representatives from various regions, the Minister immediately followed up on reports of alleged violations in the agricultural sector presented by the students.
Two reports that were immediately addressed were the alleged illegal circulation of shallots in North Sumatra and the shortage of subsidised fertiliser for shallot farmers in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). In response to these reports, the Minister immediately made phone calls to relevant parties in the regions.
He even directly attempted to contact law enforcement officials in North Sumatra regarding the illegal shallot report, which was deemed to harm local farmers.
According to him, such illegal practices must not be tolerated because they can damage market prices and weaken farmers’ welfare.
“Well, arrest them, put them in prison. How can this country prosper if there is permissiveness? It’s the same as breeding crime in this republic,” he stated.
In addition, the report from students from NTB regarding the subsidised fertiliser shortage was also responded to quickly. The Minister emphasised that he would soon trace the fertiliser distribution in that region and ensure there are no deviations in the field.
He also stressed the importance of students’ role as critical partners to the government in overseeing public policies, especially in the agricultural sector. He appreciated the students’ critical yet constructive stance.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating mafia practices in the agricultural sector. “If there are corruptors, we imprison them. In the agricultural sector, there are already 76 suspects. This is proof that we are not playing around,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Muzan Mirisan, Coordinator of BEM SI for the North Sumatra Region, appreciated the quick response from Minister Amran to the students’ reports.
He stated that this step shows the government’s seriousness in handling field issues.
“We hope that after this event, the mafias can be eradicated, especially the illegal shallots entering the North Sumatra region,” he said.
The same sentiment was expressed by Muhammad Abdi Maludin, a student from NTB who reported the fertiliser issue. He explained that there are certain individuals manipulating it so that subsidised fertiliser does not reach shallot farmers.
“I saw the Minister respond directly and coordinate right then. This is what we expect, so that regional issues can be handled quickly,” he said.
Through this dialogue forum, the Ministry of Agriculture reaffirmed its commitment to continue opening communication channels with the younger generation and ensuring that every public report is followed up quickly, transparently, and firmly.