PALMOILMAGAZINE, JAKARTA — The Ombudsman of the Republic of Indonesia has opened a new avenue for collaboration with the Indonesia Palm Oil Strategic Studies (IPOSS) to strengthen sustainable governance in the country’s palm oil industry. A meeting held on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Ombudsman’s office in Jakarta marked the beginning of a strategic partnership rooted in research and public service oversight for the palm oil sector.
Yeka Hendra Fatika, a member of the Ombudsman, shared that the institution had recently completed a systemic review of national palm oil governance. This review serves as a critical foundation for the Ombudsman’s efforts in preventing and addressing maladministration, particularly in public services related to palm oil.
“Our main duty is to prevent and resolve maladministration. Our assessments are based on facts and measurable indicators, not assumptions. We only classify cases as maladministration when there’s an abuse of power, legal violation, or harm to the public,” Yeka stated in an official release on beige-heron-208544.hostingersite.com, Friday (July 11, 2025).
He added that the Ombudsman’s findings often lead to corrective actions and binding recommendations, which are sometimes used as legal evidence. These recommendations are crucial for improving public service institutions, including those in the palm oil sector.
During the meeting, IPOSS presented several ongoing strategic research initiatives, including tracing the origins of Indonesia’s palm oil industry and developing technology to convert Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) into aviation fuel, a progressive innovation already underway in Malaysia.
Nanang Hendarsah, Director of IPOSS, emphasized that the organization aims to bridge research and policy, with a comprehensive view of upstream to downstream palm oil governance.
“We want Indonesia’s palm oil industry to be not only environmentally sustainable but also economically and socially resilient. One of the key challenges is establishing a comprehensive data system and resolving overlapping regulations that confuse both industry players and smallholders,” said Nanang.
He also highlighted the need to improve public communication around palm oil. Negative stigma continues to shape public opinion, especially among younger generations. “Enhancing public literacy on palm oil’s contributions and environmental impact must be part of a national strategy,” he added.
Yeka welcomed the research-based approach offered by IPOSS, viewing it as a crucial driver for reform. He stressed that synergy between oversight bodies and strategic research institutions could be pivotal in overhauling palm oil governance.
“If we manage the palm oil industry seriously and systematically, the potential to increase state revenue could reach up to Rp200 trillion. But this requires commitment and the establishment of a dedicated national body that’s focused and integrated in addressing palm oil issues,” Yeka explained.
He also pointed to Malaysia as a case study, noting that despite having less land than Indonesia, it consistently achieves higher productivity and better-quality yields. “We need to adapt best practices from abroad to fit Indonesia’s context for optimal results,” he said.
The meeting sends a positive signal for reform in an industry long plagued by structural and institutional challenges. The Ombudsman RI hopes the partnership will lead not just to recommendations but also to concrete actions that ensure public services in the palm oil sector are transparent, accountable, and fair.
“We fully support this collaboration with IPOSS. The synergy between oversight and research is the key to true reform in Indonesia’s palm oil sector,” Yeka concluded. (P2)
