Jakarta – Questions are mounting over the absence of Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota, Director General of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, from a crucial meeting with Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR) on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The scheduled joint working meeting and hearing with Commission VI of the DPR, alongside Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono, was intended to discuss the progress of the Village and Urban Cooperative Development Program (KDKMP). However, the proceedings were disrupted by the Director General’s unexplained absence, prompting sharp criticism from members of parliament.
The KDKMP, a key initiative aimed at bolstering cooperative development across Indonesia, has been under increased scrutiny recently, particularly regarding the role of state-owned enterprises like Agrinas Pangan Nusantara. The absence of its leader from a meeting specifically convened to discuss its progress has raised concerns about transparency and accountability. The situation unfolded as lawmakers prepared to discuss the program’s implementation and address potential challenges, with the Director General’s input considered vital.
According to reports, the meeting was intended to cover the progress of building outlets for the Koperasi Desa Merah Putih (Red and White Village Cooperative). However, the discussion proceeded without the direct participation of Agrinas Pangan Nusantara’s leadership, with only representatives from the Ministry of Cooperatives present. This led to immediate questioning from DPR members regarding the reason for Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota’s non-attendance.
DPR Voices Concerns Over Agrinas Director’s Absence
The initial questioning came swiftly from within the Commission VI DPR. Wakil Ketua (Vice Chairman) Nurdin Halid directly questioned the justification for the Director General’s absence, emphasizing the importance of the meeting. “This needs to be questioned first, this meeting is important, very important, super important. Why is the Director General of Agrinas not present?” Halid asked, as reported by Bisnis.com. The sentiment was echoed by other members of the commission, who expressed frustration at the lack of direct engagement from Agrinas Pangan Nusantara’s leadership.
The situation escalated as lawmakers sought clarification on the matter. Anggota (Member) Herman Khaeron of Commission VI stated that he wanted to hear directly from the Director General regarding several issues currently attracting public attention. This included recent developments surrounding a significant import deal involving 105,000 pickup trucks from India, a topic that has sparked debate regarding its potential impact on the domestic automotive industry and the national economy. Kompas.com reported that Khaeron expressed his displeasure at the lack of a direct explanation from Mota.
The delay caused by the Director General’s absence ultimately led to the postponement of the scheduled meeting. According to Tribunnews.com, Commission VI ultimately decided to reschedule the meeting, expressing their dissatisfaction with the situation. Members voiced their frustration, emphasizing the importance of a direct dialogue with Agrinas Pangan Nusantara’s leadership to address critical issues related to the KDKMP and other ongoing projects.
Illness Cited as Reason for Absence
An explanation for Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota’s absence was eventually provided by a representative from PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara. Elphis Rudy, the company’s Director of Procurement, informed the Commission VI DPR that the Director General was currently unwell. Rudy stated that Mota had been experiencing symptoms since the previous evening, including feeling unwell, sweating, and subsequently developing a high fever. “For the Honorable Members of Commission VI DPR, the Director General of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara is currently ill. Actually, during our meeting last night, he was already wearing a jacket and sweating, and after returning, he developed a high fever,” Rudy explained during the meeting.
However, this explanation did not entirely satisfy all members of the DPR. Sturman Panjaitan, another member of Commission VI, expressed skepticism regarding the consistency of the information received. He noted conflicting reports regarding Mota’s whereabouts, with some suggesting he had intended to attend the meeting initially, although others claimed he was already ill. Panjaitan voiced his desire for a direct verification of the Director General’s condition, suggesting that a team from the DPR be dispatched to assess the situation firsthand. “If we listen to the information from the PDIP faction’s captain, the information is conflicting, they said he would come at 10, they said he was sick, checked at the hospital, they said he was at home. At home where again? Like that,” Panjaitan stated.
Panjaitan further proposed, to the amusement of other members, that a DPR team be sent to verify Mota’s health. “I would like, if possible, for us to check there, Sir, Madam,” he said, prompting laughter from his colleagues. He emphasized the need to ascertain the facts directly, stating, “We send a team there to ensure his health is truly prime. We don’t want to, if he’s sick, bring him here, it would be a pity.”
Agrinas Pangan Nusantara and the KDKMP
PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, a state-owned enterprise, plays a significant role in Indonesia’s food supply chain and agricultural sector. The company is involved in various activities, including the procurement, distribution, and processing of agricultural products. Its involvement in the KDKMP is centered around supporting the development of cooperative-run retail outlets, aiming to improve access to affordable food products for local communities.
The Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) program itself is a government initiative designed to strengthen village and urban cooperatives by providing them with resources and support to establish and operate retail businesses. The program aims to empower local communities, promote economic growth, and ensure food security. Agrinas Pangan Nusantara’s role within the KDKMP involves providing logistical support, supply chain management, and access to financing for participating cooperatives.
The recent import of 105,000 pickup trucks from India, financed through funds from the Himpunan Bank Milik Negara (Himbara – Association of State-Owned Banks), has drawn considerable attention and scrutiny. The purpose of this large-scale import is to provide transportation infrastructure for the KDKMP cooperatives, enabling them to efficiently distribute goods to remote areas. However, the deal has raised concerns among economists regarding its potential impact on the domestic automotive industry and the overall trade balance. The DPR’s interest in obtaining clarification from the Director General regarding this import deal underscores the significance of the issue and the need for greater transparency.
The situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by state-owned enterprises in balancing their commercial objectives with their social responsibilities. The scrutiny from the DPR underscores the importance of accountability and transparency in the implementation of government programs and the management of public funds. The outcome of the rescheduled meeting and the verification of the Director General’s health will be closely watched by stakeholders across the Indonesian business and political landscape.
Key Takeaways
- Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota, Director General of PT Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, was absent from a crucial DPR meeting on March 11, 2026.
- The meeting was intended to discuss the progress of the Koperasi Desa/Kelurahan Merah Putih (KDKMP) program.
- The Director General’s absence prompted criticism from DPR members, who questioned the reason for his non-attendance.
- Illness was cited as the reason for the absence, but some DPR members expressed skepticism and requested verification.
- The meeting was postponed, and a rescheduled date is pending.
The DPR Commission VI is expected to reschedule the hearing with Agrinas Pangan Nusantara and Minister Juliantono in the coming days. Further updates on the Director General’s health and the progress of the KDKMP program are anticipated following the rescheduled meeting. We will continue to monitor this developing story and provide updates as they become available. Share your thoughts on the importance of transparency in state-owned enterprises in the comments below.
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