DEN Confirms SDA Reform Will Not Take Over Customs Functions

JAKARTA — The National Economic Council (DEN) has confirmed there are no plans to merge or take over the functions of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) as part of the natural resources (SDA) trade reform agenda. The government has stressed that the updates being pushed focus solely on strengthening SDA trade oversight through data integration and technology.

DEN spokesperson Jodi Mahardi stated the reforms aim to strengthen SDA sector governance requiring stricter oversight standards. The government is focusing on enhancing transparency, real-time monitoring, and protecting state revenue from strategic commodities.

“Minister Luhut has not indicated any plans to take over, merge, or change the functions of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise,” Jodi said in an official statement in Jakarta on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

He added that strengthening trade governance is being achieved through inter-ministerial and inter-agency system integration. The government is also accelerating the digitalisation of SDA export oversight to make monitoring processes more effective and interconnected.

The DEN has positioned SIMBARA, or the Inter-Ministerial/Agency Mineral and Coal Information System, as an operational integration model. The system connects data on production, sales, state revenue payments, and mineral and coal exports within a unified monitoring ecosystem.

“SIMBARA links data across ministries and agencies in the mineral and coal trade process,” Jodi said.

He explained the system enables more integrated and real-time monitoring. The government believes this approach strengthens transparency while reducing opportunities for revenue leakage and irregularities.