DPR Commission VI Frustrated Over Agrinas Chief's Absence During Hearing on Indian Pickup Truck Imports

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Herman Khaeron, a member of Commission VI of the Indonesian Parliament, expressed frustration over the absence of Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota, the Managing Director of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, during a hearing in parliament.

Herman stated that Mota’s presence was crucial for providing various clarifications, notably regarding the import of 105,000 pickup trucks from India.

“Most recently, there was this sudden import of vehicles from India which in my view needs to be clarified here,” said Herman in Commission VI’s meeting room at the parliament building in Jakarta on Wednesday (11 March 2025).

Herman noted that beyond the issue of pickup truck imports for the Red and White Village Cooperatives (Kopdes Merah Putih), the commission also needed explanations on various other matters.

The Democratic Party politician stated that Commission VI members had no particular interest in the Kopdes Merah Putih development project. As a working partner of the Ministry of Cooperatives, Commission VI sought to uphold principles of accountability and transparency.

However, when Agrinas Pangan Nusantara was given the opportunity to provide clarifications, Mota was absent.

“Several times Agrinas seems to treat this as if it is not a priority, and we actually want to hear directly from the Managing Director on matters that have been problematic recently,” Herman said.

Meanwhile, Agrinas Pangan Nusantara representatives present at the forum explained that Mota’s absence was due to illness. According to them, Mota had not been in good health since an evening meeting at the office the previous day.

“The Managing Director of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara is currently unwell. Last night during our meeting he was already wearing a jacket and sweating heavily, and after returning home he developed a high fever,” one representative stated.