IPB University Academics Voice Their Aspirations in the Drafting of the Strategic Commodities Bill
Experts from IPB University voiced their critical aspirations regarding the Draft Law (RUU) on Strategic Commodities. These aspirations were conveyed directly during a visit by the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Legislation Body (Baleg) to IPB University.
A total of 28 Baleg members attended the meeting held at the IPB University Business School, Gunung Gede Campus, Bogor City (9/25).
Prof Deni Noviana, Vice Rector for Education and Student Affairs, said in his speech that the discussion of the Strategic Commodities RUU was crucial.
“Strategic commodities are not just about economics, but also concern the livelihoods of many people, food, energy, employment, and even national stability,” he said.
According to him, IPB University, as an agromaritime campus, is ready to contribute through research, innovation, and critical thinking so that regulations favor the interests of the people while maintaining global competitiveness.
Several experts provided important notes. Prof Sudarsono Soedomo, Professor at the Faculty of Forestry and Environment (Fahutan) IPB University, highlighted the issue of land that has yet to be resolved. “Overlapping claims on forest areas are a major problem. This misallocation of land use causes inefficiency.”
Dr Widyastutik, Secretary of the IPB University’s International Research Institute for Social, Economic, and Regional Development (LRI PSEK), emphasized the need for inclusivity in the Strategic Commodities Bill.
“This RUU must be inclusive. It must prioritize the principles of agromaritime, agriculture in a broad sense, justice and equality, farmers, and small-scale fishermen,” she said.
She argued that this RUU should not only limit plantation commodities. Food crops, fishery products, and livestock are also strategic commodities because most of them are volatile foods such as rice, eggs, chicken, and beef.
“If the only strategic commodities are plantation crops, is it necessary to have a law? If it is limited to plantation commodities, then the title of the law must be stated in full, namely ‘strategic plantation commodities’ so as not to raise questions,” she advised.
She also questioned the definition of “food security” in this RUU. “Is the argument that these strategic plantation commodities will have an impact on increasing exports? Then increasing income and subsequently increasing people’s access to food so that food security is achieved?” she asked.
Dr Widyastutik emphasized that the selection of these strategic commodities needs to be considered carefully. Palm oil, for example, does provide revenue in the form of export taxes and foreign exchange as well as increased employment opportunities. However, on the other hand, there are challenges related to biodiversity, deforestation, and climate change,” she said.
“Tobacco also provides excise revenue. However, there are increasing expenditures for the health budget. This health issue can also have an impact on the decline in human resource productivity due to smoking,” she said.
At the beginning of the meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives’ Legislation Committee, Major General (Mayjen) TNI Sturman Panjaitan, SH, said that the drafting of the Strategic Commodities RUU was an effort to improve the management of strategic commodities that have the potential to contribute significantly to the national economy. (dh) (IAAS/ASY)
