05 Feb 2016
“We force the French who have business interests in Indonesia to be our lobbyists,” said Drajad, in Jakarta, Thursday (2/4/2016).
Drajad further explained that France is indeed known to be very protective of its agricultural products and some other production sectors. Because of that, according to Drajad, the Indonesian Government should be firm in facing them.
“Make our position equal to theirs, don't act as if we are begging and asking,” said Drajad.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Palm Oil Farmers' Association (APKASINDO) believes that the French Government has created a new colonization through regressive taxes.
APKASINDO General Chairman, Anizar Simanjuntak said that the imposition of this regressive tax is unreasonable. The reason being, this tax is considered a form of neocolonialism or a new style of colonization.
“This is neocolonialism in the form of trade competition, so that our CPO will be more expensive than the vegetable oil that is produced by France,” said Anizar.
Because of that, Anizar urged the government to hold negotiations with the French government to cancel the regressive tax levy. The reason being, this new tax regulation has really detrimental impacts on palm oil farmers in Indonesia.
“If the regulation is not cancelled, we palm oil farmers are ready to take the streets to voice our aspirations at the French embassy in Indonesia,” said Anizar.
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