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Jumat, 17 Mei 2024

From Merauke, Minister Bahlil Implements Key Measures to Ensure the Success of Sugar Self-Sufficiency

Merauke, May 17, 2024 – Minister of Investment/Head of the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia, arrived at Mopah Airport in Merauke, South Papua, on Friday morning, May 17, 2024. Upon arrival, the Minister conducted an aerial survey of a 2-million-hectare area designated for the Acceleration of Sugar and Bioethanol Self-Sufficiency in the region.

“This program in Merauke has faced failures in the past, like the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate (MIFEE). I don’t want this initiative to meet the same fate,” Bahlil stated to reporters in Merauke after his aerial assessment of the Sugar and Bioethanol Self-Sufficiency project site.


He explained that one of the main reasons behind the failure of similar past projects was the lack of suitable sugarcane seed varieties for the soil conditions in Merauke.


“After discussions with the team, it turns out that one of the fundamental issues is the seeds. It’s not just about the land or the area, but about which seeds are compatible with the soil here,” Bahlil explained.


Bahlil commended the seriousness of the concession-holding companies in establishing research and development (R&D) facilities dedicated to finding the right seed varieties.


“That’s why we can see their R&D efforts are extraordinary. I was amazed at how meticulous they are. Even to enter the lab and seed development area, we had to remove our shoes, sanitize our hands, and use disinfectants,” Bahlil remarked.

During his visit, Minister Bahlil was warmly welcomed by the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda) and the local community. He was accompanied by several officials, including Deputy for Investment Implementation Control Yuliot, Deputy for Downstreaming Strategic Investments Heldy S. Putera, Advisor to the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Rini Modouw, Director General of Forestry Planning and Environmental Management at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, Director General of Forest Area Designation and Management at KLHK Doni Augus, Director of Perennial and Refreshing Crops at the Ministry of Agriculture Rizal Ismail, Merauke Regent Romanus Mbraka, and KLHK staff member Riza Ramadhan.


As previously reported, on April 19, 2024, President Joko Widodo signed Presidential Decree No. 15 of 2024 concerning the Task Force (Satgas) for Accelerating Sugar and Bioethanol Self-Sufficiency in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province. Minister Bahlil has been appointed as the Chair of the Task Force.


The establishment of the Task Force aims to expedite the implementation of integrated plantation investments involving sugar, bioethanol, and biomass power industries in Merauke Regency, South Papua Province.


For further information, please contact:

Ricky Kusmayadi

Head of Communications and Information Services Bureau

Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/BKPM

E-mail: rickykusmayadi@bkpm.go.id

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