PANCA AMPERA: Five Key Directives from Madura-Nusantara Tobacco Farmers

Jakarta, VIVA – HRM Khalilur R Abdullah Sahlawiy, or Gus Lilur, has declared five main directives known as PANCA AMPERA, meaning the Five Directives of Madura-Nusantara Tobacco Farmers. According to Gus Lilur, these five points are a direct reflection of the realities on the ground that have long been faced by millions of tobacco farmers and small-scale cigarette business actors in Indonesia. “This is not just an aspiration. This is a voice from below. The voice of farmers, labourers, and small business actors who have long been the foundation of the national tobacco industry,” said Gus Lilur in a written statement on Monday, 13 April 2026. Gus Lilur emphasised that law enforcement must be carried out fairly and proportionately. He assessed that in practice on the ground, there is often an approach that equates small business actors with larger violation networks. “Indigenous cigarette entrepreneurs, especially on a small and medium enterprise scale, must not be positioned as enemies. They are part of the people’s economy. If there are violations, the context must be considered. Do not let criminalisation occur against those who are actually struggling to survive,” he said. He added that many small business actors are trapped in an unfriendly system, from high excise costs to regulatory complexity. On the other hand, Gus Lilur stressed that illegal cigarette practices must be stopped. According to him, illegal cigarettes not only harm the state in terms of revenue but also damage a healthy industry ecosystem. “Illegal cigarettes must be firmly addressed. This is important to maintain fairness in the industry. But enforcement must be on target, not weakening growing legal business actors,” he stated. He emphasised that the solution to illegal cigarettes is not enough with enforcement, but must also be followed by system improvements so that business actors have a more affordable legal pathway. One of the main points conveyed is the need for a special policy in the excise system for the people’s cigarette industry. And that has already been promised by the Minister of Finance. Gus Lilur assessed that the current excise scheme has not fully sided with small business actors. The high tariff structure actually becomes an obstacle for SMEs to develop legally.