Private ports blamed for Medan smuggling<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra<\/p>\n
The Medan customs office in North Sumatra has admitted to being
\npowerless to stop the rampant smuggling cases to and from the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
The office blamed its poor performance on the growing number
\nof small seaports across the province, which are operated by
\nprivate companies.<\/p>\n
The ports, including one in Tanjung Balai, are believed to
\nserve as hotbeds for smugglers, head of the Medan customs office
\nSupratigna said.<\/p>\n
He said the private-run small ports have been instrumental in
\nincreasing the number of smuggling cases.<\/p>\n
\"The seaports are used by smugglers to transport goods
\nillegally to and from abroad,\" he told journalists on Friday.<\/p>\n
Supratigna did not say whether authorities should close the
\nsmall ports or tighten security there to prevent the illegal
\npractice.<\/p>\n
\"The increasing number of private ports makes customs
\nofficials powerless against smugglers, unless we hold integrated
\noperations with other law enforcers,\" he said.<\/p>\n
According to customs office reports, cases of smuggling
\nthrough private ports included shipments of sugar, rice,
\npharmaceutical products, meats and used clothes illegally shipped
\nfrom Klang Port, Malaysia.<\/p>\n
From North Sumatra, smugglers generally shipped out the main
\nproducts of the province, such as wood and crude palm oil, to
\ntheir overseas counterparts.<\/p>\n
Deputy speaker of the North Sumatra legislative council Serta
\nGinting expressed his doubts over the explanations given by the
\nlocal customs office and other relevant authorities regarding
\ntheir failure to crack down on smugglers in the province.<\/p>\n
\"If the customs office cites the increasing number of private
\nports (as their reason for failure), why should the harbors not
\nbe closed?\" he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Serta said the widespread smuggling in North Sumatra and many
\nother provinces continued because of alleged backing from, or
\ninvolvement of, security forces.<\/p>\n
He said security personnel tasked with providing surveillance
\nat ports and waters off the province, were often found embroiled
\nin disputes over areas where they could reap profits from
\nsmugglers.<\/p>\n
\"We have summoned officials from those agencies responsible
\nfor curbing smuggling activities several times, but it is always
\nineffective and the smuggling continues,\" Serta said.<\/p>\n
However, he said Council Commission I planned to hold another
\nhearing with the North Sumatra customs office, police and the
\nprosecutor's office to discuss how fight smuggling in the
\nprovince.<\/p>\n
Separately, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar visited
\nLangkat regency, North Sumatra, on Aug. 24, 2003 and said his
\noffice had launched its Gurita Operation, aimed at eradicating
\nsmuggling practices in the province.<\/p>",
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