Smuggling is done because of price differences and the tariff issue."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) instructed the Minister of Transportation to shut down illegal ports shortly after the Muslim holiday of Lebaran.
"A warning will be issued to the owners of illegal ports, notifying them that after Lebaran, in mid-July, the government will begin shutting down these ports," said Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung here on Wednesday.
Anung revealed today that many illegal ports are still running and are often used to smuggle goods into the country.
The Cabinet Secretary said cases of smuggling were on the decline, but it had yet to be completely eliminated.
"Smuggling is done because of price differences and the tariff issue," Anung noted.
He added that smuggling was the result of legislation that allowed free foreign exchange and foreign trade without requiring a Letter of Credit.
"Therefore, the president has asked the related ministries to make corrections to resolve the issue, and if necessary, they can change the regulations to hinder smugglers from taking their profits out of the Republic of Indonesia," Anung explained.
The president has issued a directive to destroy smuggled goods that have been seized, but under the law, it is permissible to auction such items and distribute the money to the community.
"All confiscated goods will be destroyed unless they can be auctioned to the State Logistics Agency," Anung said.
He also acknowledged the seven meat containers recently confiscated by Customs, noting they would be auctioned to the logistics agency for use in the governments cheap market operation if possible.
(Reporting by Joko Susilo/Uu.INE/A050/B/KR-BSR/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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