Finance Minister Purbaya Targets Ship Owners for Legal Action Over 43 Containers of Used Clothing

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa is targeting ship owners for punishment in connection with the illegal import of used clothing uncovered at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta and in West Kalimantan. Purbaya stated he is currently examining legal provisions to enable the detention of ships and the prosecution of ship owners involved in the prohibited activity. “We are looking for legal ways to detain the ship, or to punish the ship or the ship owner who is involved in this kind of activity,” he said during a press conference at Tanjung Priok Port on Tuesday (23/6/2026).

Purbaya emphasised that stricter and heavier penalties will now be applied. He cited the example of enforcement against illegal cigarette distribution, where not only the driver but also the truck is now detained, and investigations are pursued to identify the sender. The same approach will be adopted for illegal import cases found at ports across Indonesia. “On land, if there is a producer, seller, or perpetrator of illegal cigarettes, previously only the cigarettes were seized, while the vehicle and driver were released. Now I detain the vehicle and the driver as well to create a deterrent effect. Here, in the case of used clothing imports, I will do the same,” he stated.

Beyond targeting the ship and its owner, Purbaya will also pursue the importers of the used clothing to face criminal charges in cooperation with the police. “We will further examine the importers together with the police. The Metro Jaya Regional Police will continue the investigation and criminal proceedings. So, going forward, parties involved in this cannot simply get away,” he added. “The penalties will be increasingly severe in the future.”

The Finance Minister also noted that this enforcement action demonstrates that customs supervision is being carried out actively and measurably. “We urge all business actors to conduct their activities legally and comply with all customs and trade regulations,” Purbaya appealed.