PALMOILMAGAZINE, BENGKALIS — A total of 64 board members of the District Executive Board (DPD) Level II of the Association of People’s Core Program Palm Oil Farmers (ASPEKPIR) for Bengkalis Regency, 2025–2030 term, were officially inaugurated on Thursday (July 10, 2025) in a formal ceremony held at Gedung Daerah Datuk Laksamana Bengkalis.
The event began with the reading of the inauguration decree by Adelin Saputra, Secretary of DPD ASPEKPIR Riau Province, followed by the official swearing-in by Sutoyo, Chair of DPD I ASPEKPIR Riau, who administered the oath to Abdul Kadir Siregar, the newly appointed Chair of DPD II ASPEKPIR Bengkalis, along with his board members.
Delivering the official message from Regent Kasmarni, Andris Wasono, Assistant for Governance and People’s Welfare at the Bengkalis Regional Secretariat, expressed congratulations and highlighted the government’s expectations for ASPEKPIR. The organization is expected not only to serve as a formal platform for palm oil farmers but to become a real driving force in the fight for justice and farmers’ prosperity.
“ASPEKPIR must be a strategic partner to the government in building an inclusive, fair, and sustainable palm oil sector. This is not just an economic issue—it’s about dignity and the future of our farmers,” said Andris, quoting the Regent, as reported by Palmoilmagazine.com via Bengkalis Government’s official page.
The Bengkalis Regency Government also emphasized the importance of ASPEKPIR’s involvement in monitoring the distribution of Palm Oil Revenue Sharing Funds (DBH Sawit). As one of the largest palm oil-producing regions in Riau, Bengkalis significantly contributes to national revenue but is seen as receiving disproportionate returns.
“We want the DBH Sawit to have a real impact on farmers. It’s time to realize fiscal justice for producing regions,” the Regent’s written message asserted.
Furthermore, ASPEKPIR is encouraged to actively voice the challenges faced by palm oil farmers, from fresh fruit bunch (FFB) price fluctuations and land legality issues in forest areas, to environmental and social concerns that often place farmers at a disadvantage.
The inauguration was also attended by several regional officials and local community leaders, including Bengkalis Plantation Agency Head Mohammad Azmir, Head of the Department of Food Crops, Horticulture, and Livestock Tarmizi, Military Commander of Koramil 01/Bengkalis Captain Arm Yogi Sudarso, and other invited guests. (P2)
