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.