Sugar scam a crime against humanity

Sugar scam a crime against humanity

Contrary to Ministry of Industry and Trade Rini MS Soewandi's
protestations that 56,000 tons of sugar were imported into the
country illegally, a number of defense lawyers are saying the
sugar imports in question cannot be categorized as illegal.

The debate stems from the government's policy to stop sugar
imports as of April 30. Importers, however, have interpreted the
government's deadline as being the date on which the sugar was
shipped.

Police have arrested a suspect in the illegal sugar case and
accused him of having forged importation documents. They have
also questioned Abduk Waris Halid, the trade division head of the
Main Village Unit Cooperative (Inkud), in the case.

Inkud, the alleged owner of the illegal sugar, was engaged in
the sugar import business by virtue of its cooperation with state
plantation company PTPN X, one of a number of companies the
government appointed to handle sugar importation.

If the police want to resolve the matter of illegal sugar
importation thoroughly they should also investigate the possible
involvement of officials of the Ministry of Industry and Trade
and the Customs and Excise Office, as well as the importers.

The illegal importation of sugar in huge quantities in which
many parties are involved should be seen as a crime against
humanity.

It is no secret that the government's trading systems often
serve as sources of political slush funds. -- Media Indonesia,
Jakarta