Witnesses say the income of sugarcane farmers is reduced when Tom Lembong imports sugar

Jakarta – Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Sugarcane Farmers Association (Aptri) Semitro Samadikon said that the sugar input policy of former Minister of Trade Thomas Trikasih Lembong Alias ​​Tom Lembong had an impact on sugarcane farmers. Soemitro said the income of sugarcane farmers also reduced the impact of import activities. It was transferred by Semitro Samadikon when he was presented as a witness to the alleged corruption case in the import of sugar, defendant Tom Lembong, on Tuesday (6/10/2025). Initially, the prosecutor investigated the impact of sugarcane farmers on the sugar import policy. “Earlier sir, related to the condition of a lack of GKP (white crystal sugar) Yes, white crystal sugar. There is a solution from the government that imports raw crystal sugar. It affects these sugarcane farmers in the field, sir?” Ask the prosecutor. Browse to continue with the content “On the one hand as the sugar is missing, actually for the fulfillment of consumers, it is also necessary to import, sir. But the import should be the ideal thing that must be calculated according to the needs and time right, if necessary.” If there is an excessive import, for example, we only count, which is the stock of 2014. Then our production exists in 2014, if I’m not wrong, 2014 RP 2500,000, 2015 RP is 2,490,000. Is it with the remaining stock last year or not? “Added Semitro.” If it is quite possible, it is necessary for the beginning of the next year. Earlier it was by Mrs. Mus transferred that this calculation could not be cut into pieces, but we must also be taken into account. From there it is necessary to introduce the policy for fulfillment. But the number is once again that we do not participate in it, “he continued. The prosecutor then investigated the impact of the sugar import policy on the price of sugarcane. Soemitro said that if there was an import problem, the price of sugarcane would weaken.” You explained earlier that there was no communication by the government. When the import of raw crystal sugar was in the country, the supply of farmers’ sugarcane was not absorbed by the industry. The impact was like that, sir? “Asked the prosecutor.” If the import is actually usually soil, if the absorption is arranged by a sugar factory, if it assesses the sugar factory for consumption, “replies Saemitro.” As for the price, sir? For example, there is an import problem, does it have an impact on the price below? “Asked the prosecutor.” That’s right, sir, so if the price is actually decided with the Minister of Trade if I’m not wrong from year to year. And the price we get because the HPP is actually determining the lowest tolerance price, “replies Soemitro.” And the auction of farmers shared 66% of the farmers. This is auctioned directly to farmers by inviting traders for free auctions. Well, if there is imports, it is not necessarily anymore, not necessarily missing or completely appropriate, the issue of imports alone will certainly weaken the price, “Sooemitro added. The prosecutor asked if the sugar input policy was detrimental to importing the sugar.” Is it the income of the farmers? Calculated because the COGs (costs of farmers) are actually taken from the average. The Boers are less privileged, there must be higher HPP, “Sumitro replied. Previously, the prosecutor revealed the involvement of Tom Lembong in the alleged sugar import case that harmed the state of RP 578 billion. amended by legislation 20 of 2001 regarding amendments to the Act Number 31 of 1999 regarding the eradication of corruption crimes in collaboration with section 55 paragraph (1) of the 1st of the penalty code.