Lawmakers want antismuggling reg

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The widespread smuggling of various goods -- particularly timber -- has prompted lawmakers to urge the government to issue a regulation in lieu of a law on antismuggling.

As smuggling has cost the state trillions of rupiah in losses, the problem urgently needs to be addressed.

Minister of Trade Mari E. Pangestu and legislators of House Commission VI for trade, industry and investment concluded in Tuesday's hearing that "the government must use extreme measures to curb smuggling by prioritizing the antismuggling regulation."

The two parties concluded that to amend Law No. 10/1995 on customs would be a lengthy process, while the country has been suffering billions of dollars in losses each year due to smuggling.

"We need to have the government regulation in lieu of law because it costs us too much," said Commission VI chairwoman Khofifah Indar Parawansa.

Weak law enforcement has been blamed for rampant smuggling. Reports say the country has suffered US$3.37 billion in losses from timber smuggling not to mention the smuggling of electronic goods, fish and other products.

Earlier this year, the government dropped the plan to draft the regulation and chose to amend the prevailing law, citing the absence of strong grounds to issue such an emergency decree.

The initial draft regulation stipulated the maximum death sentence and a maximum fine of Rp 10 billion (US$1.08 million).

A witness protection program and incentives for customs officials and investigators were also stipulated in the draft, as well as punishments for officials who feign ignorance of the criminal activity.