Borderline security means no limits for smugglers
The police announced this week their findings on the alleged involvement of state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina officials in the smuggling of crude and refined oil. In border areas, however, fuel smuggling has been a problem for years. The Jakarta Post's correspondent Yemris Fointuna visited on Wednesday the Indonesia- Timor Leste border. He shares his observations in the following report.
An Indonesian Military officer related his version of fuel smuggling over the Indonesia-Timor Leste border. He said local people would carry 10- to 15-liter containers of fuel daily into the neighboring country.
His account, however, was denied by a local religious figure. A priest at the Wek Fau parish in Atambua, Belu regency, Father Mundus Sako, said that security officers posted in border areas had turned a blind eye as hundreds of tons of fuel in drums was transported by truck over the border.
"I am not accusing them of working together with the smugglers. But, I know that illegal transactions have been carried out in the jungle. I guess the welfare of officers needs to be improved so that they can perform their duties in a serious manner without being involved in illegal activities," Mundus said.
According to Mundus, security in the border areas is lax due to their rough terrain and limited infrastructure. He said soldiers had only apprehended people carrying small containers of fuel who were making just enough money to put food on their tables. Large-scale traders who smuggle fuel by the truckload were, however, free to go about their business.
Mundus' remark was in contrast to that of the Indonesian Border Force Commander Lieut. Col. Yul Aviandi, who said his men had been able to reduce the rate of fuel smuggling over the past three months. He denied that the military was involved in fuel smuggling.
"One of the military's tasks is to protect and secure the border areas. Previously, more than 2,000 liters of fuel were smuggled out, but the latest evaluation indicates that only 150 liters of fuel were confiscated from smugglers in August, many of whom probably traveled via unmarked paths in the jungle," said Aviandi.
There are 55 military and police posts, and seven Belu 1605 Military Command posts along the 280-kilometer borderline. The number of posts is more than enough to oversee border activities, with each post manned by 15 to 20 soldiers patrolling five to 10 km of the borderline.
The problem is more one of lax border security on the part of Timor Leste as only a few officers from the Timor Leste National Police patrol the area.
"I guess the TNI should not be the only one blamed for the problem due to the unequal number of officers guarding and securing the two countries' border areas. This situation creates opportunities for smugglers," said Aviandi.
He cited, as an example, the borderline between Motaain and Nunura, as well as Lakmars and Laktutus, which stretches for more than 70 km and has 12 TNI posts along it, while there is not a single Timor Leste post along the borderline.
"If this goes on unabated, it will be impossible to curb smuggling over the border," said Aviandi.
The narrow paths that are traversed by smugglers were observed during a trip to the border areas between Motaain in East Tasifeto district and the TNI post in Silawan, a distance of about 10 km.
The border was not marked other than with lines of trees, rivers that had dried up and farm fences.
A vast opening, shaded by banyan trees, which smugglers frequently use as a place for transactions, is located about four km from Motaain, in the Silawan forest.
The residents admitted that smuggling was a problem. Several of them said they had often helped their relatives in Timor Leste by smuggling kerosene or gasoline in jerricans through jungle paths.
They smuggle fuel when there are no TNI soldiers in the area. Their relatives ask them to buy kerosene, which is a lot cheaper in Atambua compared to the exorbitant price in East Timor of Rp 7,500 per liter," said Antonio, 32, from Silawan village, which borders with East Timor's district of Maliana.
They use the money to help their families, although they know it is against the law.
"We don't have land to cultivate. We have been living in a temporary shelter. The government has not provided us with any food. So, the only way is to sell kerosene or gasoline to Timor Leste, despite the risk of being caught by TNI soldiers," he added.