Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia during the Limited Meeting (via video conference) on the Acceleration of People’s Salt Absorption, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, 5 October 2020

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

Peace and prosperity be upon us all.

Distinguished Vice President,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Today, we will discuss measures to boost absorption of salt cultivated by the people.

Based on the reports I received, two main problems we are facing related to the absorption of salt cultivated by the people: first, the low quality of salt cultivated by the people so the commodity does not meet the standards for industrial needs. We must find a solution. We are aware of the problem; yet, we’ve never tried to find a solution. As of 22 September, based on the data there are 738,000 tons of salt cultivated by the people that is not absorbed by our industries. Think about the solution so that the salt can be absorbed.

And, second, (due to) the low national salt production, we have been looking for the easiest way: importing salt. It has become a habit and there has never been a solution. For example, the national salt demand in 2020 reaches 4 million tons per year and our national salt production has only reached 2 million tons. As a result, the allocation of demand of salt for industries remains high, which is 2.9 tons. I believe we have to take corrective measures, starting from a large scale reform of the supply chains from the upstream part to the downstream part.

Once again, first, consider the availability of production land. Expedite integration and extensification of lands where the people cultivate salt in the ten salt-producing provinces, this must be truly integrated, must be integrated, and there must be an extensification.

I have also told you beforehand that there must be real efforts for the productivity and quality of our salt cultivated by the people. This means that the use of innovative production technology, especially the washing plant, must really be worked on, so that post-production can really ensure its availability, especially in storage warehouses.

And that concludes my statement for today. Once again, the preparation for the development of salt industry in the downstream sector must really be carried out by developing derivative industries.

I thank you.

Translated by Fairuzzamani Inayatillah
Reviewed by M. Ersan Pamungkas