Illegal Cigarettes Rife in Batam, DPRD Urges Customs to Dismantle Network
The circulation of illegal cigarettes in Batam City has once again come under scrutiny. One of the most prominent brands is Manchester, which is alleged to be widely distributed without excise stamps and easily found in various locations, ranging from small kiosks to distributor networks.
This phenomenon has raised significant concerns among the public, as these untaxed cigarettes appear to be circulating massively and openly without significant hindrance.
A member of the Batam Regional House of Representatives (DPRD), Rival Pribadi, believes this situation can no longer be viewed as a minor issue. He stated that the distribution of illegal cigarettes has been occurring brazenly, seemingly without fear of law enforcement action.
“This is no longer about just one or two packs of illegal cigarettes. The distribution is systematic, massive, and open. It is present in almost every area. If this situation is allowed to continue, the public has the right to ask: where is the Customs oversight?” he said on Sunday (21/6).
According to him, the massive distribution of the Manchester brand indicates a strong and organised supply chain. He assessed that large-scale distribution would be difficult to achieve without gaps in supervision.
He also highlighted Batam’s position as a strategic area with heavy goods traffic. Therefore, the supervision of excisable goods should be a top priority for the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, particularly in the Batam region.
“If Manchester illegal cigarettes can enter and spread widely even to small shops, it means there is a serious problem from upstream to downstream. It needs to be traced: who are the suppliers, who are the distributors, and what are the entry routes,” he said.
He emphasised that the circulation of untaxed cigarettes is not merely an administrative violation. This practice also has the potential to cause significant state losses due to the loss of excise revenue.
In addition to harming the state, the prevalence of illegal cigarettes is also seen as creating unfair business competition. Legal cigarette traders and distributors who comply with regulations are disadvantaged as they must compete with illegal products sold at much cheaper prices.
“Business actors who comply by paying excise are actually losing the competition to illegal products sold much cheaper. This ruins a healthy business ecosystem,” he added.
For this reason, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, particularly relevant agencies in Batam, should not only conduct temporary raids. He requested that enforcement be directed towards uncovering the distribution networks and the main actors behind the illegal cigarette circulation.
According to Rival, law enforcement should not only target small traders on the ground. Authorities must also trace the parties suspected of being suppliers, distributors, and controllers of the illegal cigarette distribution. If not handled seriously, Rival fears that the circulation of illegal cigarettes will become even more rampant and difficult to control.
“The public wants to see real action, not just ceremonial operations. If serious, dismantle it to the roots. Who are the big players? That is what must be revealed. Otherwise, these illegal cigarettes will continue to run rampant,” he asserted.
The widespread circulation of illegal cigarettes such as Manchester in Batam now serves as a serious test for law enforcement and customs oversight authorities. Without concrete and consistent steps, there are fears that the circulation of untaxed cigarettes will continue to expand and become increasingly difficult to control.