President Calls for Replacement of the Customs Chief; Purbaya Responds

Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto has urged government institutions to strengthen governance and leadership that is free from corruption, and to work quickly. In a plenary session, Prabowo did not hesitate to name a specific institution whose leadership should be replaced: the leadership of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC).

‘We must improve institutions, build a strong, professional government, and a government that is not corrupt. Businesspeople complain; they are subjected to extortion that is too widespread. I remind all heads of agencies, ministers, and leaders of government bodies to promptly take the initiative to cleanse their bureaucracies,’ Prabowo said while delivering his speech at the 19th Plenary Meeting of the DPR RI, Fifth Session of the 2025-2026 Session, at the DPR Complex, Jakarta, Wednesday, 20 May 2026.

Prabowo stressed that ministers or leaders should not hesitate to take decisive action against subordinates who violate rules, and to act quickly. He said all government institutions must eliminate abuse of power and practices that hinder the economy. RI 1 then referenced institutions under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance.

‘Let me remind you again, for the umpteenth time, our customs must be improved. Minister of Finance, if the head of Customs cannot manage, replace him immediately. The nation and the people demand fast work. Let us not become a government that is slack or lazy. We must be a government driven by what lies ahead, not by what is coming later,’ he said.

Prabowo illustrated the sluggish issuance of business licences, such as AMDAL licences or environmental impact analyses. Ideally, licences should be issued faster than currently.

‘If countries around us can grant AMDAL business licences within three weeks, why must we take months, even three years,’ he asked.

Prabowo emphasised that officials who cannot work well and quickly are not beyond replacing.

‘There is no one who cannot be replaced; the people demand a government that is right and good. Do not think that simply because someone is a civil servant they cannot be dismissed,’ he concluded.