Andre Rosiade Urges State Intervention to Resolve Refined Sugar Controversy

Deputy Chairman of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Andre Rosiade, emphasised that the state must not falter in addressing the persistent problems of refined sugar distribution and imports. Andre urged that this issue be resolved immediately. He conveyed this during an Opinion Hearing Meeting of Commission VI DPR with its working partners. Andre Rosiade stated that the refined sugar issue has persisted for a long time and continues to burden various parties, including State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). “The state must not lose, and the state must be present for the people’s interests,” Andre asserted on Wednesday (8/4/2026). Andre Rosiade also touched on how this matter has been a concern since previous periods. He reminded various parties in Commission VI DPR that they have clearly stated the solutions that must be taken. Furthermore, Andre Rosiade said that Commission VI DPR will take two strategic steps in responding to the issue. First, forming a working committee (panja) for overseeing sugar imports. Second, providing full support to the government to assign SOEs to conduct refined sugar imports to avoid the reimbursement mechanism that has been the source of problems. According to him, the refined sugar import reimbursement scheme has caused workload and financial burdens for SOEs. He cited, for example, that in 2025 the government once assigned ID Food, including providing a loan of Rp1.5 trillion, which is now said to have been repaid. “The problem is the reimbursement. We want this to be stopped so it no longer burdens SOEs,” said Deputy Chairman of the Gerindra Party Faction in DPR RI, Andre Rosiade. Andre also added that the refined sugar import assignment could later be given to SOEs such as ID Food or PT Pupuk Indonesia Niaga (PT PEN), depending on the government’s decision. He hopes that the Commission VI meeting can produce concrete decisions and no longer be convoluted in resolving the recurring refined sugar issue every year. “So that this meeting is productive and we can make decisions, no more convoluted discussions on the refined sugar issue,” said Secretary of the Gerindra Party Faction in MPR RI, Andre Rosiade. At the end of his statement, Andre also expressed his optimism towards the current administration in resolving public economic issues. “This is the era of President Prabowo, President of the Indonesian People,” he concluded. In the Conclusion of the Commission VI DPR RI Meeting with Working Partners, Commission VI encourages refined sugar imports to be conducted only through SOEs.