Indonesian Agriculture Minister Takes Action Against Corruption

Immediate Termination Following Investigation

Indonesia's Agriculture Minister, Andi Amran Sulaiman, has taken decisive action against corruption within the Ministry by firing a staff member involved in an extortion scheme. The termination follows an investigation triggered by complaints received through the 'Lapor Pak Amran' channel.

Extortion Scheme Details

The staff member, part of the Directorate of Food Crops, was found to be demanding payments ranging from Rp 50 million to Rp 100 million per agricultural machinery unit. In some cases, the extortion reached as high as Rp 600 million. The official falsely represented themselves as either a Director General of Food Crops or a businessman to extort money from farmers seeking government assistance for agricultural equipment.

Minister's Response

Minister Amran emphasized that government assistance for farmers should be free from corruption. "Bantuan pemerintah itu gratis untuk rakyat," he stated during a press conference, highlighting the government's commitment to providing genuine support to farmers without additional, illegal costs.

Impact on Agricultural Sector

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of corruption in government programs aimed at supporting Indonesia's agricultural sector. The swift action taken by Minister Amran demonstrates the government's commitment to maintaining transparency and fairness in the distribution of government aid.