Private ports blamed for Medan smuggling
Private ports blamed for Medan smuggling
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra
The Medan customs office in North Sumatra has admitted to being
powerless to stop the rampant smuggling cases to and from the
province.
The office blamed its poor performance on the growing number
of small seaports across the province, which are operated by
private companies.
The ports, including one in Tanjung Balai, are believed to
serve as hotbeds for smugglers, head of the Medan customs office
Supratigna said.
He said the private-run small ports have been instrumental in
increasing the number of smuggling cases.
"The seaports are used by smugglers to transport goods
illegally to and from abroad," he told journalists on Friday.
Supratigna did not say whether authorities should close the
small ports or tighten security there to prevent the illegal
practice.
"The increasing number of private ports makes customs
officials powerless against smugglers, unless we hold integrated
operations with other law enforcers," he said.
According to customs office reports, cases of smuggling
through private ports included shipments of sugar, rice,
pharmaceutical products, meats and used clothes illegally shipped
from Klang Port, Malaysia.
From North Sumatra, smugglers generally shipped out the main
products of the province, such as wood and crude palm oil, to
their overseas counterparts.
Deputy speaker of the North Sumatra legislative council Serta
Ginting expressed his doubts over the explanations given by the
local customs office and other relevant authorities regarding
their failure to crack down on smugglers in the province.
"If the customs office cites the increasing number of private
ports (as their reason for failure), why should the harbors not
be closed?" he told The Jakarta Post.
Serta said the widespread smuggling in North Sumatra and many
other provinces continued because of alleged backing from, or
involvement of, security forces.
He said security personnel tasked with providing surveillance
at ports and waters off the province, were often found embroiled
in disputes over areas where they could reap profits from
smugglers.
"We have summoned officials from those agencies responsible
for curbing smuggling activities several times, but it is always
ineffective and the smuggling continues," Serta said.
However, he said Council Commission I planned to hold another
hearing with the North Sumatra customs office, police and the
prosecutor's office to discuss how fight smuggling in the
province.
Separately, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar visited
Langkat regency, North Sumatra, on Aug. 24, 2003 and said his
office had launched its Gurita Operation, aimed at eradicating
smuggling practices in the province.