INFOKU, BLORA – Truly beyond expectations, dozens of sugarcane farmers again held a sugarcane spill action in front of the gate of PT Gendhis Multi Manis (GMM) Todanan District.
During the action, farmers even threatened to take the Blora sugar cane issue to Jakarta if their demands continued to be ignored.
The action was marked by speeches, shouts of protest, performances by two singers, and poetry readings by students.
Farmers escort a convoy of trucks loaded with sugar cane towards the factory gate.
Next, a number of motorcyclists carried sugar cane stalks in the front row, followed by trucks which then dumped their sugar cane cargo right in front of the factory entrance, as a symbol of disappointment towards PT GMM which was deemed to have failed to absorb sugar cane from Blora farmers.
One of the farmers, Anton Sudibyo, emphasized that the action was an outburst of farmers' anger, because various promises had not yet been realized.
"This is the second protest. We feel like we've been cheated and lied to. All the costs of this protest come from farmer contributions; no one is backing us up," he stressed.
According to Anton, the action served as a warning before farmers escalated the issue to the national level. In fact, farmers were prepared to hold a similar action in Jakarta if PT GMM and Bulog didn't take concrete action.
"If there's still no response, we'll take the sugarcane to Jakarta. Farmers have been waiting for two years, but there's been no clear resolution," he said.
Don't ABS
Farmers also highlighted the national sugar self-sufficiency program.
They asked President Prabowo Subianto to evaluate his staff, so that they do not only deliver reports that please their superiors.
"Don't let the people at the bottom just be satisfied (as long as the boss is happy). If this continues, the sugar self-sufficiency program could fail," he stressed.
In addition, farmers complained that the sugar factory was not operating optimally, resulting in higher costs for transporting and distributing sugarcane.
They also touched on the stamped agreement regarding PT GMM's commitment to absorb one hundred percent of Blora farmers' sugarcane, which as of June 2026 was deemed not to have been realized.
Not only the sugarcane spill action, farmers plan to bring the issue to Commission IV and Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, so that the government immediately takes concrete steps.
Don't Break Promises
Meanwhile, Acting President Director of PT GMM, Sri Emilia Muldiyanti, emphasized that her party did not break its promise.
Currently, PT GMM together with Bulog has formed a team to conduct data collection on land and potential sugarcane ready for harvest.
"We have begun collecting data on areas that can absorb Blora farmers' sugarcane and divert it to sugar factories around Blora. Currently, there are 200 sugarcane farmers in Blora," he explained.
According to him, the working team consists of internal elements from PT GMM and Bulog, as well as farmers. PT GMM has also collaborated with several sugar factories, including SGN's sugar mill and private sugar mills around Blora.
Sri Emilia added that the absorption process still requires administrative and regulatory approvals, so it cannot be done instantly.
An independent review of the damage to the factory's machinery is currently underway.
Also read: Only 37 of 295 Villages Have Paid Taxes, Blora Regency Government Must Work Hard
"Our priority remains Blora's sugarcane farmers. We are still coordinating with other sugar factories regarding pricing. We are targeting progress in two weeks, as the process is still ongoing," he concluded. (Endah/ IST )
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