Quiet Week Before Eid Cut Short as Agriculture Minister Amran Raises Concerns
In Makassar, whilst much of the country entered the quiet week before Eid al-Fitr, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman took action to raise concerns. His reaction emerged when Minister Amran discovered rice fields and agricultural machinery and equipment (alsintan) belonging to the state in deplorable condition.
This discovery surfaced during Minister Amran’s inspection of rice cultivation for seed production at one of the technical implementation units (UPT) of the Ministry of Agriculture in Maros, South Sulawesi, on Monday, 16 March 2026.
The inspection, originally intended to ensure readiness for rice seed production, turned into a sudden evaluation session after Minister Amran discovered that several pieces of state-owned agricultural machinery and equipment were not being maintained properly. Several tractors appeared dirty and covered in mud from long-standing neglect, reflecting minimal maintenance after use.
“The question is, did you do all this wrongly? Is this how it has always been? You use the equipment but don’t clean it. Look at the dirt. Equipment cannot be stored here if not cleaned. The machinery must be repaired. This is expensive. And do you know what? That money is from the people, from the Indonesian community,” Amran told several staff members.
According to Amran, the negligence in maintaining agricultural machinery not only demonstrated weak work discipline but also reflected a lack of concern for state assets derived from public funds. “Do you know? This is callousness. Every bolt is people’s money, people’s taxes,” he said.
Discovery of Waterlogged Fields
Beyond the machinery, during the inspection Amran also observed rice fields inundated with water and not managed optimally. Yet this location was supposed to be a demonstration area for rice seed development in the Sulawesi region.
“Why haven’t you pumped the water? Why isn’t it working? How can this be? You should be a model for Sulawesi Island, yet you are the worst. This is state money,” Amran said upon seeing the flooded land.
In response to these various findings, Amran immediately took firm action. He ordered strict sanctions against those responsible for managing the facilities and machinery at the location.
“How long have you worked here? Is this how you have worked from the beginning? Give him a third-stage warning (SP3), a final warning,” Amran said.
On site, Amran directly contacted the Head of the Organisation and State Apparatus Human Resources Bureau of the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure disciplinary action was taken immediately.
“Issue warnings to those here, SP3 in Maros. Also give warnings to their superiors. Give warnings to everyone. These instructions I announced from Subang and Sukamandi have not been implemented. Check everything; if you don’t follow my orders, I will issue warnings,” he said.
Amran stated that this reprimand sends a strong message that there can be no compromise regarding negligence in managing state agricultural assets. According to him, agricultural machinery is an important instrument for increasing agricultural productivity and efficiency, and therefore must be maintained and utilised optimally.
The Ministry of Agriculture has been disbursing various agricultural machinery assistance to regions to accelerate agricultural mechanisation and increase national food production. Amran emphasised that every unit of agricultural machinery must be treated as a strategic state asset that must be maintained with full responsibility. The same applies to state-owned seed production facilities, which should be managed with high discipline given their strategic role in supporting increased national food production.
Amran directed this move as a reminder that oversight of state assets will continue to be tightened. For Amran, support for farmers is not only realised through programmes and assistance but also through discipline in preserving every rupiah of public money used for agricultural sector development.