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PDI-P takes aim at Prabowo-led food estate project
The PDI-P lent its voice on Tuesday to mounting criticism of the controversial agricultural project, saying it was an “environmental crime” to deforest such a large amount of land only to fail to properly cultivate it.
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A worker uses a tractor to plow land designated for the food estate program in Tewai Baru, Gunung Mas regency, Central Kalimantan, on March 6, 2021. (Antara/Makna Zaezar)
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) has accused President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration of failing to properly manage the food estate megaproject, a swipe seemingly directed at Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, the party’s main rival in the upcoming presidential race.
The PDI-P lent its voice on Tuesday to mounting criticism of the controversial agricultural project, saying it was an “environmental crime” to deforest such a large amount of land only to fail to properly cultivate it.
“In practice, the policy turned out to be misapplied,” PDI-P secretary general Hasto Kristiyanto said. “Forests were cut down, and the food estate was not developed properly.”
The party said that while it supported Jokowi’s plan to decrease the country’s dependence on imports of staple foods, it was concerned about maladministration in the program.
“There was a conflict of interest. One example is the involvement of PT Agrinas in the project, which is comprised of friends [and members] of political parties who should not interfere in the use of the state budget,” Hasto said.
He was referring to PT Agro Industri Nasional, which is owned by a non-profit foundation under the Defense Ministry.
Read also: Three years on, the food estate fails to deliver: Study
