"We focus on the legality of these imported used clothes. We will coordinate with the Cooperatives and SMEs Minister, Teten Masduki, to connect with our domestic business actors," Hasan remarked after his meeting with Minister Teten Masduki in Jakarta, Monday.
According to the minister, traders of used imported clothes will not sell them if the supply is no more. Hence, he deemed it crucial to break the sales chain by destroying these clothes, especially smuggled goods.
"This is one of our efforts to support our domestic industry and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs)," the minister emphasized.
Hasan remarked that his side had destroyed imported used clothing in several areas, such as Pekanbaru, East Java, and Tangerang. Most recently, he will attend the activity for the extermination of seven thousand bales of used imported clothing worth Rp80 billion in Tangerang.
Used clothes are included in goods that are prohibited from being imported based on Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 18 of 2021 as amended by Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 40 of 2022 concerning Amendments to Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 18 of 2021 concerning Export Prohibited Goods and Import Prohibited Goods.
Hasan emphasized that the import of used goods was prohibited by the government except for those regulated by special regulations, such as the import of used combat aircraft.
"Importing combat aircraft is allowed because the price for the new one is expensive," he explained.
Regarding the legal process against producers or distributors of imported used clothing, the trade minister said that it would be handed over to the law enforcement apparatus.
"The legal process will continue. The important thing is we destroy the products first. After that, it will be the law enforcement's responsibility to follow up the case," he stated.
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Translator: Maria Cicilia, Resinta S
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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