Better detection needed for smuggling: Importers
Better detection needed for smuggling: Importers
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The recent discovery of 19 containers filled with electronic
goods and luxury cars in the West Java port of Cirebon has again
shown the urgent need for a more effective inspection system with
which to combat smuggling, according to importers.
On Thursday Amirudin Saud, chairman of the Indonesian
Importers Association, said that the fact that the goods were not
found until they reached Cirebon indicated how flawed the customs
service's current inspection system really is.
Cirebon port officials reportedly grew suspicious when they
received three different manifests for the containers, carried by
the Panama-registered MV Sentosa Jaya, from Singapore and ordered
by PT Tiang Grage.
After forcing the containers open, they reported the smuggled
goods to local customs officials.
Inside, customs officials discovered a Jaguar, a Mercedes-Benz
and a number of off-road vehicles worth a total of Rp 20.5
billion (about US$2 million).
"An effective monitoring system would allow customs officials
to detect ... contraband or smuggled goods, so that these kinds
of ships can be searched thoroughly, and immediately, upon
arrival, " Amirudin added.
He noted that, under a system of pre-shipment import
inspection, in place between 1985 and 1997, the surveyor always
alerted Indonesian embassies, along with the Customs and Excise
Duty Directorate General in Jakarta, to vessels found carrying
contraband goods.
"This is ... one of the reasons importers have been so adamant
in demanding that the old system be reintroduced, so as to
minimize such smuggling" and the underpricing which results, he
added.
He also wondered aloud about the fate of the written records
of what he termed "high-risk" vessels previously found to contain
smuggled goods -- records that were so "meticulously" maintained
and updated throughout that period.
He added that the revelation of the smuggling attempt at
Cirebon validated complaints of the Indonesian Electronics
Association of unfair competition from contraband or underpriced
goods coming from China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.
Amirudin urged officials to destroy the goods to show that the
Indonesian government is truly serious about combating smuggling.