"We have set a one-year deadline to improve the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. After several weeks, we have seen encouraging progress, indicating that officials in the office are capable of improving—they just need some prodding,” he remarked.
Addressing the media in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Friday, Purbaya clarified that his ministry has not coordinated with other institutions regarding a potential institutional suspension and staff furlough, which he stressed remains a warning rather than a final decision.
The state treasurer reiterated that he would only elevate the warning if the directorate general fails to demonstrate notable progress within the next year.
"Why would we execute the suspension plan if they have managed to make improvements? In short, it is still too soon to coordinate with the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform regarding the furlough," he affirmed.
Purbaya added that the Ministry of Finance is currently prioritizing all possible measures to thoroughly reform the Customs and Excise Directorate General, including through enhanced technological utilization and the strengthening of human resource capacity.
"Our ministry has been training numerous talents, and it is crucial that we sustain this approach," he said.
He highlighted that ongoing efforts have already yielded concrete results, as shown by the launch of three technological innovations at the directorate general: X-ray container scanners equipped with radiation portal monitors, the Self Service Report Mobile application, and the Trade AI system.
The minister first spotlighted the possibility of a suspension at the Parliamentary Complex in Jakarta on November 27, stressing the urgency of driving rapid transformation within the directorate general.
"Failure in making improvements may lead to the furlough of 16 thousand customs and excise employees. I am confident that these employees are smart and capable of driving progress," he stated.
In response, Customs and Excise Director General Djaka Budhi Utama affirmed his commitment to restoring public trust in his institution by augmenting its performance and services.
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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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