Palm oil plantations urged to help farmers

Palm oil plantations urged to help farmers

JAKARTA (JP): In an attempt to stop the theft of fresh palm
oil bunches in the region, House of Representatives Commission IX
for finance and industry called on state-owned palm oil
plantations (PTPN) in Sumatra to establish social development
programs for locals.

Feisal Hamid, a commission member from the United Development
Party (PPP) faction, said the continuing theft of palm oil fruits
was related to the social gap between locals and the state-owned
plantations.

"The state-owned companies should carry out social development
programs to empower local people and help them survive the
economic hardships," he said during a hearing with PTPN
presidents here on Monday.

During the meeting, presided over by Benny Pasaribu, the PTPN
presidents called on the government and the House to take
measures to halt the prevalent looting at state-owned and
foreign-capital plantations in Sumatra.

The hearing was held to discuss the planned privatization of
state-owned palm oil plantations.

Feisal said that besides the social development programs,
local farmers should be allowed to plant intercrops on the
plantations, or be given subsidies to develop agribusinesses to
improve their income.

"The important thing is that besides law enforcement, PTPNs
should pay attention to helping local people improve their
welfare so theft can be reduced to a minimum," he said.

He admitted that many people, especially youths, refused to
farm and earned money by looting palm oil bunches from the
plantations.

Usman Ermulan, a commission member from the Golkar Party
faction, called on security authorities to take strict measures
against those people who backed the thefts.

"It is impossible for people to loot (the plantations) if they
are not backed by certain parties, including security personnel
and hoodlums," he said.

He said local administrations in Sumatra and security
authorities should also take action against parties who purchased
the stolen palm oil bunches.

"However, the security authorities should maintain caution in
their actions because many palm oil plantations in the region
belong to private companies," he said. (rms)