Permana new customs chief

Permana new customs chief

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Importers Association welcomed yesterday the appointment of Permana Agung as the new director general of customs and excise duty. Permana will replace Martiono Hadianto, who has been installed as the president of Pertamina oil company.

Permana, 36, a career customs official who is now the director for planning and revenues at the directorate general, will be installed at the finance ministry on Wednesday.

The association's chairman, Amirudin Saud, said the appointment of a career customs official would give a moral boost to the customs service, which between 1970 and 1991 had always been led by political appointees. (vin)