InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Farmers and business actors in the palm oil sector are urging President Prabowo Subianto to promptly establish a special agency tasked with improving palm oil governance in Indonesia. This demand arose during a discussion titled "Thorough Review of Sustainable Palm Oil Governance" held by the Agricultural Journalists Forum (Forwatan) at the Ministry of Agriculture (Kementan), attended by InfoSAWIT, in Jakarta on Thursday (December 19).
Chairman of the Indonesian Palm Oil Council (DMSI), Sahat Sinaga, stated that President Prabowo Subianto's vision for achieving energy security can be realized through the establishment of a special palm oil agency. "If President Prabowo has explained that we need national energy and food security, then all these issues will be resolved with a special agency that has full authority to address governance issues in the upstream sector," Sahat emphasized.
Sahat also pointed out the obstacles arising from the numerous ministries and agencies involved in palm oil management. "Currently, there are many differing views among ministries, so the governance issues in palm oil remain unresolved. With a special agency, these problems can be effectively addressed," he added.
Chairman of the Plantation Division of the Indonesian Palm Oil Entrepreneurs Association (GAPKI), R. Azis Hidayat, also supported the proposal. According to him, the establishment of a special palm oil agency has been agreed upon by the expert team of three presidential candidates in the previous election. Additionally, the Ombudsman has suggested that public services in the palm oil sector become more focused by referring to a comparative study with Malaysia’s Palm Oil Board (MPOB).
"Currently, there are 37 ministries and agencies involved in palm oil management with differing policies. This complicates diplomacy and dispute resolution, including lawsuits at the international level such as the WTO. With a special agency, diplomatic focus can be sharper," Azis explained. He also suggested that the Palm Oil Plantation Fund Management Agency (BPDPKS) be developed into this agency since its human resources are already available.
Acting Director General of Plantations at the Ministry of Agriculture, Heru Tri Widarto, emphasized the importance of palm oil governance that complies with regulations, including socializing the obligations of business actors according to Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 18/2021. The Directorate General of Plantations also targets the development of e-STDB (Electronic Cultivation Registration Certificate) for 250,000 hectares by 2025 to meet European Union export standards.
"Additionally, the People's Palm Oil Rejuvenation Program (PSR) will continue with a target of 120,000 hectares by 2025, covering government and partnership routes. We are working to ensure that all programs run to support the sustainability of the palm oil sector," Heru concluded.
Full support from associations and business actors is a positive signal for the acceleration of the establishment of a special palm oil agency, which is expected to be a solution to various governance issues in the palm oil sector in Indonesia. (T2)