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