Agriculture minister dismisses 14 officials over graft allegations

hartono · Aug 18, 2026

Agriculture minister dismisses 14 officials over graft allegations

Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman dismissed 14 ministry officials over alleged financial irregularities totaling billions of rupiah, as part of bureaucratic reform to strengthen governance, integrity, and public trust.

"We have removed 14 officials, ranging from Echelon I to Echelon III, from their positions without new assignments while under investigation, as the violations involve billions of rupiah," Sulaiman stated in Jakarta on Tuesday.

He made the remarks during a press conference following the inauguration of several Echelon I and II officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and high-ranking officials at the National Food Agency (Bapanas).

Sulaiman explained that the removed officials were temporarily deactivated while the Inspectorate General investigates the allegations.

He emphasized that the removals ensure the organization operates fairly, professionally, and meritocratically, rather than serving as final punishments.

If the investigation confirms state losses, law enforcement will handle the case, Sulaiman noted, adding that cleared officials will be reinstated with career development opportunities.

Sulaiman stated that this action reflects the government's commitment to cleansing the bureaucracy of potential irregularities while building a work culture that prioritizes integrity and responsibility, ultimately creating a robust ministry for the future.

"There were irregularities involving billions of rupiah, period. While these remain allegations, we took immediate action so the organization functions effectively," he asserted.

Sulaiman revealed that one dismissed official was a close relative, stressing that national interests and a merit-based system must take precedence over personal ties.

"We must be fair and adhere to a merit-based system, otherwise, we would essentially be fostering wrongdoing and allowing misconduct to persist within the Ministry of Agriculture," Sulaiman stated.

The Ministry of Agriculture’s Inspectorate General has allocated a maximum of three months for the investigation into the alleged irregularities, aiming for an objective outcome while ensuring the inquiry is conducted with the utmost care.

He further noted that additional dismissals could follow if new evidence emerges, as the government seeks to ensure full compliance across the ministry, thereby maintaining and improving the quality of governance.