DKI Provincial Legislator Questions Governor Over Cattle Imports from Australia Rather Than Domestic Stock
Jakarta – A member of the DKI Jakarta Provincial Legislative Assembly from the Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) faction, August Hamonangan, has criticised the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government’s policy to import 3,100 cattle from Australia.
He believes this measure does not comply with Law Number 18 of 2012 concerning Food. According to August, Article 29 Paragraph (2) of the law stipulates that regional government food reserves must originate from domestic production.
He also highlighted the scale of the imports, which he considered substantial. From a quota of 7,500 head of cattle, approximately 3,100 have already arrived in Jakarta.
“Even the quota is 7,500 head. So only a portion has arrived so far. Why hasn’t the Governor sought cattle from within the country first?” he stated.
The DKI Jakarta Provincial Legislative Assembly is currently discussing a Regional Regulation on the Implementation of Food Systems. August stated that the discussion of this regulation must align with national law, including ensuring sustainable food sources from within the country.
“We are currently discussing a very important regulation in the assembly. This regulation on food system implementation must guarantee our ability to meet the food needs of our citizens,” he stressed.
“One way to do this is to request that the DKI Provincial Government find sustainable food sources from within the country,” he added.
Provincial Governor Pramono stated that cattle imports have only resumed after 28 years. According to him, Jakarta is now trusted to import cattle directly through the food state-owned enterprise Perumda Dharma Jaya.
“Today, the DKI Jakarta government through Dharma Jaya is officially importing cattle from Australia, and as of today approximately 3,100 of the planned 7,500 have arrived,” said Pramono on Monday.
The DKI Provincial Government has set a cattle import quota of 7,500 head. If demand increases, further imports can be carried out.