Customs and excise office reshuffle draws protest

JAKARTA (JP): The recent removal of Jakarta Customs and Excise Office chief Roy Lino has raised many eyebrows, with city councilor Santayana Kiemas accusing the central government of defying the spirit of regional autonomy.

Santayana of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) claimed on Friday that neither he nor other councilors had been consulted or informed about the replacement.

"A changing of the guard in a provincial-level office should have not been conducted quietly, now that regional autonomy has taken effect," said Santayana, who is the City Council deputy speaker.

Minister of Finance Prijadi Praptosuhardjo announced on Tuesday a major reshuffle in his office, which included the replacement of Roy with Endang Tata. Roy was promoted to assistant to the director general of customs and excise.

Santayana, a brother-in-law of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, said the City Council would file a protest with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy over the case.

He suspected that Roy's dismissal came after a request from Director General of Customs and Excise Permana Agung.

Santayana also suggested that the central government hand over the management of Tanjung Priok Port to the city administration in a bid to increase city revenue.

He estimated the city would earn between Rp 7 trillion and Rp 8 trillion (between US$736 million and $842 million) from all businesses inside the port. The city collects an average Rp 3.4 trillion in revenue annually.

"Under the new scheme the city could contribute half of the income from the port management to the state budget," Santayana said.

Separately, Roy refused to comment on his removal from the Jakarta Customs and Excise Office.

"Let the people judge, because I never dreamed of what I would be. It's more important for me to do my best for the sake of the government and the nation," he was quoted by Antara on Friday.

He said that during his six-month tenure, his office had uncovered 23 inaccurate import documents.

On Friday the office seized 22 containers containing diesel engines and electronic goods imported from China and Korea which did not have a proper invoice, Roy said.

The invoice stated that the goods were imported by PT Trisarana Karya Mandiri, but when the Customs and Excise Office requested that import tax for the shipment be paid, the company claimed it had not ordered the merchandise.

Another company, PT Elmanda Kharisma, then claimed the goods, Roy said, adding that an executive of the company was being questioned.

Roy also said his office had yet to seal off 95 containers seized for inaccurate documents during his brief tenure. (amd)