"We will impose administrative sanctions on the importer. The police or prosecutors would deal with other possible types of violations."
Tangerang, Banten (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government's task force for combating illegally imported goods has confiscated carpets worth around Rp10 billion (roughly US$658 thousand) imported unlawfully from Turkey in Tangerang, Banten.

In a related press conference in Tangerang on Monday, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan stated that 2,939 carpets in total were seized.

"We have found two types of goods, namely mosque prayer mats and long carpets, which do not meet the required procedures," he pointed out.

Hasan further remarked that the finding resulted from the task force's surveillance conducted on September 10, 2024, at a warehouse in the Jatake Industrial Area, Jatiuwung Sub-district, Tangerang City.

The minister explained that the textile products were seized due to the lack of import approval documents and surveyor reports and on account of failure to conform with the aspects of security, safety, health, and environment (K3L).

"While the industry itself (importer) is legitimate, its side project violates regulations for importing (goods) outside the determined procedures. Such a practice could lead to a loss of tax revenue for this country," he affirmed.

He remarked that the government had suspected that the importer employed the pretext of importing raw materials to avoid meeting the aforementioned requirements.

Hasan emphasized that the government would instruct the importer to destroy the illegally imported carpets under the task force's supervision.

"We will impose administrative sanctions on the importer. The police or prosecutors would deal with other possible types of violations. We at the Trade Ministry only handle the case administratively," he stated.

The minister then urged all business players operating in Indonesia to always abide by the regulations enforced by the country.

"Otherwise, the task force would continue to take actions with support from the Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), Attorney General's Office, Finance Ministry's Customs Directorate General, State Intelligence Agency (BIN), Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and maritime security personnel," he stressed.

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Translator: Muhammad H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Arie Novarina
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