"I really invite the private sector to have a full commitment to the provision of cooking oil for the people," Thohir said here on Saturday.
Since the Indonesian nation is gifted with extraordinary resources, all parties who live and enjoy the benefits of the country must take the responsibility for solving the problems that occur in Indonesia, he added.
"Alhamdulillah, the Indonesian nation is extraordinary. So, we must remember that we live in Indonesia, we get blessings in Indonesia. So, when there is something like this, the private sector must also be responsible for solving, do not be a ‘stranger,’" the minister remarked.
According to Thohir, state plantation holding company PTPN has only 4 percent of crude palm oil (CPO) land area. He said the majority of CPO plantation owners are private firms.
Therefore, since a few months ago, the minister has tried to invite private parties to help solve the cooking oil problem.
He has asked the private sector, SOEs, and other stakeholders to jointly resolve the ongoing cooking oil problem.
He said people become rich from Indonesia's natural resources, but when the people are in need, they are not present.
“So, I really call for the private sector together with SOEs, the central government, the local governments, let's solve this cooking oil problem," he added.
Moreover, he said that several policies have been implemented to resolve the issue, and only the willingness of the related stakeholders is required.
"And I think the President, Joko Widodo, the Coordinating Minister, and the Trade Minister have implemented the policies, (the question) is whether we want to do this together. Let's go back to mutual cooperation," he added.
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Translator: Aji C, Kenzu T
Editor: Suharto
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