Sugarcane farmers bitter about imports

SURABAYA, East Java: Hundreds of sugarcane farmers staged a protest at the provincial legislature on Thursday, demanding the government limit sugar imports because they were undermining the price of local sugar.

Spokesman for the protesters Ridwan said imported sugar was cheaper than the local product, and the farmers wanted a higher import tax to be imposed.

"The government seems to neglect farmers, so we expect legislators to press the government about this," Ridwan said.

East Java Governor Imam Utomo said he would conduct a special market operation to limit imported sugar passing through Tanjung Perak Port. (nur/dja)