Such cooking oil producers need to be sanctioned in order to resolve the scarcity issue because they failed to address the issue despite the abundance of raw materials, he said in a statement here on Saturday.
The scarcity caused the market price of oil to shoot past the highest retail price (HET).
It is important to reveal the names of the producers so that everyone gets to know the actual reason for the shortage of cooking oil stocks and the commodity’s high price, he added.
Related news: Gov't supplies sugar, cooking oil to eastern Indonesia via sea toll
Mulyanto further said he suspected that the problem lies not only in distribution, but also production. As per the latest report from the Industry Ministry, the cooking oil production rate is far below daily needs, which have been pegged at eight thousand tons per day, he added.
He admitted he was baffled because he expected the CPO export ban to lead to an increase in the supply of raw materials needed for cooking oil production. In reality, the commodity is still scarce, therefore, it is suspected that the raw materials were never used to fulfill domestic needs.
Related news: PTPN V disburses 12-ton cheap cooking oil, sugar in Riau
Mulyanto said the government's policy would be in vain if the producers do not demonstrate a commitment to meeting the targeted production quota.
Therefore, he urged the Industry Ministry to reveal the names of producers and impose strict sanctions.
He said the state should not let itself be toyed with by some “irresponsible” businessmen, as it would cost it dearly. The government must also disclose the matter to the public so that everyone can give the producers social punishment by not buying their products, he added.
Related news: Government should absorb small farmers' palm oil products: MP
Related news: Sea toll facilitates equitable sugar distribution in NTT: Ministry
Translator: Fauzi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
