Half-baked reform of customs service slammed<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Experts have expressed doubt that the new reform measures
\naimed at overhauling the country's customs service would be
\neffective in curbing smuggling and corruption as they did not
\nprioritize changing the corrupt mentality of customs officials.<\/p>\n
Akbar Saleh, a senior official of the Indonesian Forwarders'
\nAssociation, said that boosting the quality of human resources
\nshould be the focus before the introduction of any new system.<\/p>\n
"The most chronic problem lies in the mentality of the
\npersonnel," he told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
He was commenting on the reform strategies launched by the
\nfinance ministry to boost the performance of the customs service.<\/p>\n
According to a document outlining the reform strategies, a
\ncopy of which was obtained by this paper, computerization of the
\ncustoms system is crucial to minimize contact between customs
\nofficers and importers. The program is expected to help curb
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
But Akbar said that unscrupulous importers could always bribe
\nthe computer operators to change illegal goods into legal ones.<\/p>\n
"The changing of the customs system is not the solution to the
\ncurrent problem. Smuggling and under-invoicing can still occur
\nbecause of the corrupt personnel who are on duty at harbors and
\nairports," said Akbar.<\/p>\n
"The current system is just fine. What good is a new system if
\nthe man behind the wheel is not capable. Clean up the personnel
\nand then set up a new system," he added.<\/p>\n
University of Gadjah Mada economist Sri Adiningsih concurred.
\nShe said that the new reform drive fell short of the public's
\nexpectation that corruption would be tackled in the country's
\ncustoms and excise service.<\/p>\n
"Law enforcement is the only way to fix the corrupt mentality
\nof the customs personnel. If this is done, smugglers will no
\nlonger feel so secure about continuing their smuggling or
\nundervaluation activities," said Sri.<\/p>\n
Sri added that a new independent body, outside the Ministry of
\nFinance, should be established to supervise the customs service.<\/p>\n
A nationwide study of corruption conducted last year under the
\nsponsorship of the World Bank and United Nations Development
\nProgram confirmed that the customs and tax services were the most
\ncorrupt public institutions in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Corruption has allowed smugglers to illegally ship in goods at
\nthe expense of the state. The rampant smuggling activities have
\nalso discouraged foreign investors from setting up manufacturing
\nplants here.<\/p>\n
The government designed the new reform strategy based on the
\nguidance of the International Monetary Fund. Various programs
\nwill be implemented starting in January next year.<\/p>\n
The strategy paper, however, did not prioritize reform of the
\nofficials themselves. Rather, it focused on changing the customs
\nsystem.<\/p>\n
The only program related to improving the mentality of the
\nofficers is a plan to set up a code of conduct committee.<\/p>\n
But the personnel who will sit on the committee are to be
\ndrawn from the Ministry of Finance and the Directorate of Customs
\nand Excise itself.<\/p>",
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