Jakarta (ANTARA News) - A total of 11,800 tons of imported salt that failed to comply with import procedures will soon be destroyed, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said here on Tuesday.

"We will destroy 11,800 tons of imported salt which have been sealed by the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry," Fadel said after opening fish bazaar at his office.

Fadel said that the salt would be destroyed because it was impossible to be re-exported and besides, the ship which transported the commodity to Indonesia has already left.

In addition, he said the effort to destroy the imported salt would be made to make deterrent effect for naughty importers.

According to Fadel, the imported salt did not meet the requirements of Trade Ministry.

"If we destroy the salt, it will cause a great deterrent effect for the naughty importers," Fadel said.

The minister also appreciated customs officers who have good coordination to hold the 11,800 tons of imported salt.

On Saturday, August 6, 2011 the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry officials sealed a warehouse of PT SLM which stored the salt at Ciwandan port in Cilegon, Banten province.

Meanwhile, director general for supervision of marine resources and fisheries Syahrin Abdurahman said the warehouse was sealed based on preliminary information on Wednesday.

"According to the preliminary information, MV Vinashin Star Hai Phong which sailed under Vietnam`s flag transported a great amount of salt from India to unloaded at Ciwenden port in Cilegon," Syahrin said.

He said that in fact the ship berthed at the port on Thursday afternoon and on Friday afternoon a supervisory team from the Marine and Fisheries Ministry in cooperation with Ciwantan police seized the imported salt.
(Uu.O001/HAJM/F001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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