The state enterprises ministry has rejected a proposal by the Customs and Excise Office that the government allow more companies to import alcoholic drinks, to prevent smuggling of liquor.<\/p>\n
State-owned PT Sarinah remains Indonesia\u2019s sole importer of alcoholic beverages.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be difficult to control more companies importing liquor,\u201d Muhammad Said Didu, secretary to the State Minister for State Enterprises, said Friday in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 2007, several companies were allowed to import liquor, and everything was a mess.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the customs office would face more difficulties if more companies were allowed to import liquor.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Customs Office would be very busy checking liquor one by one to track the importers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said sales of alcoholic beverages fell under the government\u2019s control, including its distribution, because Indonesia had a majority Muslim population.<\/p>\n
\u201cIslam is the majority religion here,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the government allows anyone to import alcoholic drinks, our country\u2019s image will be tainted, because alcoholic drinks will be found everywhere, including small kiosks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Allowing more companies to import alcoholic drinks will not resolve the rampant smuggling, he added.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if more companies were allowed to import alcoholic drinks, we can\u2019t control prices,\u201d he said, completely losing the thread.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd I think smuggling will still occur.\u201d<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-to-maintain-liquor-import-monopoly-1247882932", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }