A Hunger for Beef Quotas

Marina Ratna Dwi Kusumajati received two calls on her cell phone in less than half an hour. The calls were from Sigit Sutantiyo and Susiana Martha, employees of state-owned trading company Perusahaan Perdagangan Indonesia (PPI). The two were offering frozen imported beef to Marina, who is CEO of Dharma Jaya market. Marina was open to the offers. "As long as the price is good and the beef is imported legally," she told Tempo last week.

As general manager of PPI, Sigit tried to reassure Marina that the beef from his company, which obtained an import license, was legal. Not long after Sigit called, Susiana called to discuss the offer. They did not reach a deal. "Dharma Jaya already had its own supplier," said Sigit.