CEO Resigns Over Zero Budget Support
Joao Angelo De Sousa Mota has resigned as the president director of the state-owned food company, Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, just six months after its official launch. In a press conference, Mota cited the complete absence of a budget to carry out the company’s programs as the primary reason for his departure. He stated that while food security is a top priority for President Prabowo Subianto, the commitment from other government stakeholders and presidential aides has been insufficient. Mota claimed that Agrinas had not received any funding since its inception, with its budget “remaining at zero.” This lack of financial support, he explained, made it impossible for him to deliver on the company’s planned projects and to contribute meaningfully to the national economy or the welfare of local farmers, leading to his difficult decision to step down.
Corporate Apology and Planned Transition
During the press conference, Mota publicly apologized to both the public and to President Prabowo Subianto for his inability to deliver on his mandate. He expressed regret for not being able to make concrete contributions to the national economy or to improve the lives of farmers as he had intended. In response to the resignation, Rosan Roeslani, the CEO of Danantara Indonesia, the sovereign wealth fund that oversees Agrinas, issued a statement accepting Mota’s decision. Rosan described the resignation as a professional step and assured that it would be handled in accordance with the company’s corporate governance rules. He also confirmed that Agrinas’ operations would continue without disruption and that a smooth leadership transition would be carried out to ensure the company’s strategic programs remain on track.
Questions Arise for a New State-Owned Enterprise
Agrinas Pangan Nusantara, which was launched on May 14 to operate across the entire food supply chain, is a relatively new state-owned enterprise, making its president director’s resignation just six months into its tenure particularly notable. The company’s first project is scheduled to begin in Baturaja, South Sumatra, as part of its broader business plan to enhance national food security. However, Mota’s departure over a lack of funding raises significant questions about the alignment between the government’s high-level policy priorities and the practical, on-the-ground support provided to key institutions. The incident underscores the challenges that new state-owned enterprises can face in securing the necessary resources, even when their mission is directly tied to the administration’s strategic agenda.
