I conveyed to the police to be fair in this caseJakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stated that his employee had been named a suspect in a case of violating International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) rules.
Kartasasmita noted that the police would announce the suspect this Friday at noon.
"From what I have heard, the suspect came from the Industry Ministry," he noted in an online press conference in Jakarta on Friday.
He explained that solving the IMEI case was his initiative. A year ago, the minister said that he was approached by several parties to outsmart the IMEI rules.
"I have been contacted by several parties asking about my interest in outsmarting the IMEI regulation. I asked them, did they have access to the other four institutions? They said yes, they only needed to ask me," the minister remarked.
Based on this incident, Kartasasmita immediately urged the Director General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics (ILMATE) of the Industry Ministry to thwart these practices.
"If later, the media attended a press conference that will be held by the police, it will be me, as the Minister of Industry, giving the order to the Director General of ILMATE to dismantle this case. I am not surprised and I am happy because it was me who gave the direction to do that," he emphasized.
He expressed optimism that the police would conduct a fair and thorough examination to bring to light the shoddy management of IMEI, including illegal practices that occur.
According to Kartasasmita, the IMEI registration management system, namely the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) is managed by four institutions: the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, the Ministry of Finance, and cellular operators.
"I conveyed to the police to be fair in this case. After all, it was me who first asked for this case to be dismantled. The three other institutions please be open to cleaning up this case together," he remarked.
The government implements IMEI rules with several objectives, including facilitating the government's efforts to secure and oversee mobile phones circulating in Indonesia, both those produced domestically and imported.
On the other hand, the IMEI rules were also made to encourage growth of the domestic phone industry.
Nevertheless, the minister acknowledged that the IMEI management must be perfected following existing gaps that can be misused for certain purposes by irresponsible parties.
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Translator: Ade Irma J, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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