Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto emphasized the importance of eliminating the import quota system, especially for commodities directly related to people’s basic needs such as meat. He delivered this directive at the Joint Economic Discussion with the President of the Republic of Indonesia in Jakarta, Tuesday (8/4), emphasizing that imports must be carried out fairly and openly, without monopoly by certain companies.
Responding to this, agricultural observer Khudori stated that the President’s policy did not immediately open the import tap widely, but instead showed efforts to protect domestic producers, such as farmers, livestock breeders, and fishermen, without relying on quota instruments which have so far been considered problematic.
“The President’s statement is an order to seek alternative protection other than quotas, because the quota system not only creates injustice, but also opens up opportunities for corruption and cartels,” said Khudori.
He stressed that global food prices are often distorted by subsidies or other countries’ trade policies. Therefore, he said, the argument that imports are needed to lower domestic prices must be examined more carefully.
“Behind the discourse of cheap imports are millions of domestic business actors who must be protected. We cannot allow their lives to be sacrificed for the sake of false cheap prices,” he said.
Khudori also revealed that the import quota regime has created favoritism practices, such as in the case of garlic, where only certain groups are granted import permits. This practice has given rise to many corruption cases, ranging from meat imports to sugar.
According to Khudori, the elimination of quotas is not only about market liberalization, but also part of a more transparent and equitable trade reform agenda. With an open system, public oversight can be more optimal and government intervention can be more targeted.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Sudaryono emphasized that the elimination of quotas aims to cut the long and inefficient distribution chain. Although the quota is eliminated, it is certain that the main goal remains self-sufficiency.
“If people are given quotas and then resold repeatedly, prices at the consumer level will be uncontrollable. What we can produce domestically, must still be produced domestically,” he explained.