This is done as a commitment to increase the Regional Original Revenues (PAD) of West Sulawesi, which is rich in natural resource potential.
Mamuju, West Sulawesi (ANTARA) - Acting Governor of West Sulawesi Akmal Malik met with Minister of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Abdullah Azwar Anas to seek his recommendation for setting up a customs and excise office in the province.

"We hope that Minister Anas can give a recommendation for a customs and excise office’s establishment in West Sulawesi," Malik said here on Thursday.

The acting governor stressed the importance of setting up a customs and excise office in West Sulawesi considering that the province is rich in natural resources.

"This is done as a commitment to increase the Regional Original Revenues (PAD) of West Sulawesi, which is rich in natural resource potential," Malik explained.

According to him, it is unfortunate that West Sulawesi’s exports are still being clubbed with those of its neighboring provinces, such as South Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi.

“(This is leading to) West Sulawesi's Revenue Sharing Fund (DBH) from export products benefit other regions," he pointed out.

Therefore, he said, West Sulawesi must have its own customs and excise office so that DBH from natural resources can be enjoyed by the people of West Sulawesi.

"When will West Sulawesi be independent of its natural resource potentials? Until when do we always contribute to the gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of other regions? I want to say, this is the time (to create a solution)," he emphasized.

Earlier, when releasing an export consignment of 3,800 tons of Palm Kernel Expeller (PKE) to Thailand on January 11, 2023, Malik expressed regret that the province's export products were still recorded as other regions' contributions.

He said that this is also related to the Belang-Belang Port development in Mamuju, which he considered futile if all export products released through the port are still clubbed with those of other regions.

"West Sulawesi has the right to claim its own products. Until when will we continue to be like this? (This way,) the DBH is certainly not going to West Sulawesi, resulting in our regional budget not moving," he added.

Related news: Banten's customs and excise officials seize 1.7 mln illegal cigarettes
Related news: Expect new customs director general to meet revenue target: Indrawati








Translator: Amirullah, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2023