InfoSAWIT, TANA TIDUNG — Tensions have resurfaced between the Plasma Majelutung Perdana Lestari Cooperative (KUB PMPL) and palm oil company PT Pipit Citra Perdana (PCP), following allegations of non-transparency in the signing of an addendum to their plasma partnership MoU.

KUB PMPL’s secretary, Ares Wahyudi, said that the Regent of Tana Tidung also signed the meeting minutes and addendum. However, these important documents were never distributed to the cooperative’s board or members.

“The addendum draft was given only to the cooperative chairman. The rest of us didn't receive it. To obtain a copy, we had to go to the PCP office in Tarakan on 22 November 2025. They were angry at first before finally handing it over,” Ares told InfoSAWIT on Monday (24/11/2025).

Ares added that according to procedures based on the 2019 MoU addendum, both the chairman and secretary should have been involved before signing. “But they violated this requirement,” he said.

The earlier complaint submitted to the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) regarding irregularities in the partnership process has already been accepted and is currently under investigation.

“Once the investigation is concluded, the case will be forwarded to the commission leadership and proceed to the Preliminary Partnership Examination (PPK). After that, Written Warning I will be issued to PT PCP. If ignored, Warning II and III will follow,” Ares explained, citing KPPU’s guidance.

However, during the ongoing process, the company allegedly attempted to halt the investigation by proposing in the SHU (revenue-sharing) agreement that KUB PMPL withdraw its complaint.

Although the initial report to KPPU lacked the cooperative chairman’s signature, Ares emphasized that this does not invalidate the filing, as the chairman was ill and duties had been delegated to the vice-chairman.

“Our report is legitimate. The chairman has no authority to withdraw the complaint filed with KPPU,” he stressed.

KPPU Conducts Field Inspection

On 23 September 2025, a four-person KPPU team conducted a direct field inspection at KUB PMPL’s plasma plantation — part of the verification process before determining further actions.

The case continues to evolve, with the cooperative hoping for a fair resolution to safeguard the sustainability of their plasma partnership and protect smallholders. (T2)