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.