InfoSAWIT, BANDA ACEH – The upcoming Aceh Regional Election (Pilkada), now just days away, has drawn significant attention from various stakeholders, including Abubakar AR, the Chair of the Aceh Regional Board of the Palm Oil Farmers Union (SPKS) and the Indonesian Palm Oil Village Association (ADESI). He expressed strong support for candidate pair number 02, Mualem and Dek Fad, whom he believes are well-positioned to advance the welfare of independent oil palm farmers in Aceh.
According to Abubakar, the pair’s close ties with the central government give them a considerable advantage. “Mualem and Dek Fad have a strong relationship with the central government. Mualem previously served as the Chair of the Winning Team for President Prabowo and Gibran. This presents a key opportunity for independent oil palm farmers in Aceh,” Abubakar told InfoSAWIT on Thursday (21/11/2024).
He also highlighted his optimism about the support of the Aceh Provincial Parliament (DPRA) for the Mualem-Dek Fad ticket, which he sees as paving the way for farmer-friendly policies. Among the priorities are improving plantation governance, increasing fresh fruit bunch (FFB) prices, and providing adequate facilities and infrastructure for oil palm farmers.
“Moving forward, SPKS and ADESI Aceh will continue advocating for farmers' rights. We want to ensure that all government policies, both at the provincial and national levels, promote more sustainable oil palm management,” he emphasized.
The Aceh Pilkada is a pivotal moment for the future of the oil palm sector, one of the province’s key commodities. With ongoing challenges such as fluctuating FFB prices and limited access to essential farming resources, Abubakar hopes that the Mualem-Dek Fad administration will deliver tangible solutions during their 2025–2030 tenure.
“We believe this pair can bring real change. With the right policies and close cooperation with the central government, we are optimistic that Aceh’s oil palm farmers will thrive,” he concluded.
The Aceh Regional Election is poised to be a decisive event for various sectors, including the vital oil palm industry. Support from key societal elements, such as SPKS and ADESI, underscores the significant hope for a government that champions the advancement of independent farmers. (T2)
