DJBC Performance Improvement Hailed as Positive, but Systemic Reform Urged

Jakarta – Indonesian Audit Watch (IAW) founding secretary Iskandar Sitorus has described the improved performance of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) as positive news. However, he has proposed systemic changes to make the DJBC’s performance even better.

One of the proposals is the National Border Economic Governance System (NBEGS) and the Indonesian Customs and Excise Authority (OKCI).

“The improvement in DJBC performance is positive news. But initial success must not become a reason to stop reform. A crisis may subside after officials are replaced, operations are tightened, and oversight is strengthened, but without systemic change, old patterns can return once public attention shifts,” Iskandar told reporters on Thursday, 13 August 2026.

According to him, the government does not need to wait for a new institution to be formed before starting improvements. A number of steps such as access audits, separation of functions, transparency of service times, improvements to the complaints mechanism, and strengthening data quality can be implemented immediately within the DJBC.

In the NBEGS and OKCI policy proposal document, IAW has formulated ‘12 initial decisions’ that President Prabowo Subianto may consider.

First, to designate economic border reform as a national strategic agenda. Second, to order a comprehensive audit of DJBC processes, data, technology, human resources, and integrity.

Third, to form an NBEGS preparation team. Fourth, to assign the drafting of a Presidential Regulation on NBEGS. Fifth, to order the unification of border data dictionaries and standards. Sixth, to establish a joint risk analysis centre or Joint Border Targeting Centre.

Seventh, to require digital recording of all interventions in high-risk decisions. Eighth, to separate the functions of service, risk profiling, inspection, determination, and objection. Ninth, to build a rapid recovery mechanism for the public and service users.

Tenth, to order the preparation of an academic paper on DJBC institutional options and the possibility of establishing OKCI. Eleventh, to set cross-agency indicators that are not solely based on revenue. Twelfth, to order an independent evaluation every year and open the results to the public within limits that do not disrupt law enforcement or state confidentiality.

“These twelve decisions should not be read as the simultaneous establishment of a new institution. They are stages to ensure reform proceeds measurably, can be monitored, and does not disrupt the flow of goods, state revenue, industry, or public services,” Iskandar explained.