So, (when our) fellows make a decision, it would not be the wrong one
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Attorney General's Office (AGO) and the Trade Ministry have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on trade supervision as part of a commitment to pursuing transparency in export-import activities and regulating the national trading system.

Under the collaboration, the AGO will provide supervision and assistance during policy creation, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan informed after the MoU was signed at the Kartika Adhyaksa Building, the Attorney General's Office, on Friday.

"So, (when our) fellows make a decision, it would not be the wrong one. There is transparency and it is right. Truly, it is not my opinion and the director general’s. Thus, legal opinion from the Attorney General's Office is needed," the minister elaborated.

He said he believes that the Trade Ministry has a vital role in supporting the work of other ministries. Moreover, President Joko Widodo has given directives to the ministry to ensure the availability of food at affordable prices.

Unfortunately, he added, the plethora of alleged corruption cases that occurred before he was sworn in deterred many officials from taking decisive action. Thus, the MoU will be important in supporting and improving the ministry's performance in the future.

"If colleagues (at the Trade Ministry) have doubts, it will hinder (progress). Now, with this MoU, the Trade Ministry will work in a transparent manner. Even more now that (we) have directly coordinated with the AGO," he said.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Burhanuddin said that his administration will improve the supervision of the Trade Ministry, particularly in terms of export and import activities.

The measure will ensure there are no more allegations of corruption against the institution, he explained.

"The most important thing is doing the export-import correctly," Burhanuddin said.

He added that based on the information he has received, some people at the ministry are still involved in irregularities, so the Adhyaksa Corps investigation team will identify and bring order to them.

This will be a preventive measure taken by the AGO. Another example of such measures is providing inputs on more assertive policies.

"Good with the rules later, we will impose stricter rules. But still can be implemented quickly. Prioritizing prevention and crime is the last resort," he added.

Burhanuddin asserted that the meeting was not related to the handling of the alleged corruption case that is being carried out by his administration, which he assured will continue.

"Please note that this meeting has nothing to do with the case we are handling," he said.

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Translator: Laily Rahmawaty, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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