Pressure mounts to probe smuggling scam

Pressure mounts to probe smuggling scam

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon

Amid increasing public outrage, authorities in Cirebon have
agreed to fully investigate the failed attempt to smuggle luxury
cars into Indonesia and allegations the customs department later
unlawfully played a role in forwarding the items to a local
businessman.

Authorities met on Tuesday in response to a demonstration held
by 200 supporters of several political parties who demanded the
case be handled transparently.

The decision was finally made during a meeting between the
legislature, the local attorney's office chief Iskamto and Adj.
Sr. Comr. Siswandi of Cirebon police.

Soenaryo, deputy chairman of the regency legislature, said
that it and authorities also agreed to let police take control of
the case from the local customs and excise office.

Ironically, the customs department originally busted the
smuggling operation when 19 containers from Singapore containing
the cars and television sets were discovered early last month.

Customs said the containers were then delivered to a
storehouse belonging to a local businessman, named Jhony, after
gaining a recommendation from state-owned shipping port
management company PT Pelabuhan Indonesia II (Pelindo).

However, Pelindo General Manager Jusni Johan denied giving the
recommendation to customs.

"Pelindo has no authority to give permission to the local
customs and excise office to take the containers out of the
seaport," he said.

Jusni challenged customs to bring Johny to the meeting to
clarify his statement.

Siswandi said the police would investigate the case thoroughly
and bring all persons allegedly involved to court, including any
customs officers implicated.

The 19 containers ordered by shipping company PT Tiang Grade
were brought in by MV Sentosa Jaya on Jan. 10, 2002. They were
confiscated when customs found the items without official
documents inside.