Controversy Over Agrinas Importing 105,000 Pickup Units for Village Cooperatives; Minister of Cooperatives Responds

Jakarta — Indonesia’s Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono has responded to the controversy surrounding the procurement of operational vehicles for the Red and White Village Cooperative (KDMP), which were imported from India by state-owned enterprise PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara (Persero). Juliantono revealed that the Ministry does not possess precise knowledge regarding the vehicle procurement because only Agrinas handles the specific details.

“In reality, the Ministry of Cooperatives has a role in assigning Agrinas Pangan with the task of implementing the provisions for the Red and White Village Cooperative, including the procurement of operational vehicles. We have stated that we do not possess precise knowledge of this matter because Agrinas is the entity executing the activities with the Indian producer,” Juliantono said during his presentation to Commission VI of the Indonesian Parliament on Wednesday (11 March 2026).

The Ministry stated that it is only aware of the physical development of warehouses and their equipment related to the KDMP. The Ministry of Cooperatives also bears responsibility for the physical development of the KDMP.

“Regarding the physical development of warehouses, retail outlets, and their equipment, we certainly have knowledge and continuously evaluate and listen to input from various parties. Of course, we share responsibility for ensuring the physical development of the warehouses, retail outlets, and their equipment,” Juliantono explained.

Previously, Commission VI of the Indonesian Parliament, together with the Ministry of Cooperatives and Agrinas Pangan, had planned to hold a working meeting (raker) on Wednesday (11 March 2026). However, the meeting was forced to be postponed due to the absence of Agrinas Pangan’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota.

The CEO’s absence prompted several Commission VI members to express displeasure and request that the Commission VI leadership postpone the meeting until the Agrinas CEO’s attendance could be confirmed.

“This is the aspiration of the Commission VI members, who represent the public,” said Commission VI Chair Anggia Erma Rini, calling for the meeting to be rescheduled and promising to announce further information.