Riau Islands proposes using smuggled cars for official use

Fadli, The Jakarta Post, Batam

A top government official in Riau Islands has proposed to the central government that cars seized from smuggling attempts in Batam last year be used as official vehicles.

The idea was aimed at saving provincial budgetary funds and preventing the cars from turning to scrap, said Riau Islands interim Governor Ismeth Abdullah on Tuesday.

"It would be a waste if the cars were just left in a state of neglect. Why not use them as official cars?" said Ismeth.

The proposal had been forwarded to the finance minister during former president Megawati's tenure. The idea was revived following the transfer of power to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. The provincial government is now waiting for permission from the current Minister of Finance on whether they are permitted to use the cars for official purposes.

The proposal was made after the governor found some 100 vehicles of various types sitting idle and rusting for a year at the Riau Islands Customs and Excise Office compound.

The vehicles, produced between 1997 and 2000 from various car makers, were smuggled from Malaysia and Singapore, Batam's closest neighbors. The cars were then parked on a large field belonging to the Batam office of Customs and Excise.

The confiscated cars are still in good condition, amongst them a 1998 Honda Civic Type SIR, a 1997 Toyota Corona Absolute, a 2000 Mitsubishi Chariot, a 2000 Toyota Harrier and a 1998 BMW 531.

Meanwhile, the head of Batam Customs and Excise Office, Rahman Natawijaya, told reporters that he was leaving the matter to the Minister of Finance to decide on whether to auction off the cars, or give them to the provincial administration for official use.

In the event that the Minister of Finance agrees, then luxury cars would be allocated to various high ranking officials and councillors in Riau Islands.

The remaining cars, including minivans, would probably be allocated to government offices for operational purposes.