Who owns the smuggled sugar?

Who owns the smuggled sugar?

Sugar smuggling is not new to Indonesia. It has long occurred
and it is common. Sugar entering Indonesia illegally now
represents 30 percent of the total sugar imported legally by the
country every year, amounting to 400,000 to 500,000 tons -- an
incredible figure.

Many see the smuggling as beneficial to consumers who can buy
sugar at a cheaper price. The smuggling, however, harms our
sugarcane farmers and the country's sugar industry. Sweet sugar
has thus turned bitter.

Two companies are suspected of owning the smuggled sugar --
the state plantations company PTPN X, and the Association of
Village Cooperatives (INKUD). Both have denied ownership.

Indonesians have a way with words. Thus, it is easy for
officials to beat around the bush or lie if their illegal
practices are discovered. They do not care whether their lies
make sense or not. A thief can also cry "thief!"

The law has become powerless to deal with smugglers. As proof,
no one has been arrested for smuggling the sugar.

It is said large-scale smuggling could not occur unless some
power was behind it. That is it, then. Everything is clear.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta