Susi Pudjiastuti says the formation of DSI supports trade transparency
The former Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Susi Pudjiastuti, supports the establishment of PT Danantara Sumber Daya Indonesia (DSI) as a state-owned enterprise (BUMN) that will become the single gateway for exporting strategic natural resource commodities (SDA).
According to Susi, the move is important to bolster trade transparency and close loopholes that enable manipulation in export transactions. She expressed the support through her personal X account, @susipudjiastuti, in Jakarta on Friday while responding to discussions about the plan to form DSI.
She highlighted that practices such as under-invoicing, transfer pricing, and export transactions not being recorded optimally remain widespread, resulting in lower state revenue. “What is happening now is unreported, undervalued invoices/transfer pricing. State revenue is reduced. That’s why a single-entry point is needed to ensure transparency,” Susi wrote on Thursday (21/5).
Susi Pudjiastuti’s statement comes in response to a thread of analysis published by business analyst account @Strategi_Bisnis. In its analysis, @Strategi_Bisnis explains that although Indonesia is a major producer for various world commodities, the country’s bargaining power in global trade is often weak. It notes that one root cause is revenue leakage through under-invoicing and transfer pricing. Export values are often reported lower than actual values, and transactions are frequently conducted with buyers that are affiliated.
“The impact is substantial. The state can lose potential tax and foreign exchange revenue. On the other hand, compliant exporters become less competitive than players who manipulate their reporting. If left unchecked, the market becomes unhealthy,” wrote @Strategi_Bisnis.
Moreover, @Strategi_Bisnis argues that the presence of national trading entities such as DSI could be a strategic control instrument. Its function would be to ensure export volumes and values are recorded transparently, accurately, and in line with actual transactions. The move is not intended to let the state set prices unilaterally but to foster fairness and transparency so as to close opportunities for manipulative practices.
“Indonesia also needs sovereignty over the trade data of strategic commodities. The end goal is to strengthen Indonesia’s bargaining power. If we are a large producer, we should have a strong bargaining position in global trade,” said @Strategi_Bisnis.
The support from public figures and business analysts aligns with the main aim of establishing DSI. Danantara Indonesia CEO and Minister for Investment and Hilirisasi Rosan Roeslani stressed that DSI is being prepared specifically to overhaul the trading system and root out mispricing in export pricing. The government officially requires exports of strategic natural resource commodities, such as palm oil (CPO), coal, and ferro alloys, to be conducted through a single window via a BUMN. The objective is to strengthen oversight, prevent undervaluation and foreign exchange leakage, and ensure transaction prices align with the global market indices.
With positive public sentiment and expert support, DSI is expected to promptly realise transparent governance of SDA commodity exports, halt foreign exchange leakage, and maximise value added for the national economy.