War on smugglers?

Smuggling, like corruption, has been tolerated for far too long. So long in fact, that by now it has reached a point that it endangers not only the economy, but Indonesia's very existence.

A quick glance at some recent reports detailing how rampant smuggling activities have become, and the impact they have on the economy and the people, should raise alarms bells and prompt the nation to act. Instead, we see even more indifference on the part of our political leaders, the same attitude exhibited whenever the subject of corruption and its impact on the nation comes up.

The manufacturing sector, supposedly the main engine of the economy in generating export income and employment, is frustrated by the inability of the government to prevent smuggled goods from flooding our markets.

The electronics industry, for example, has been starved of new investment because manufacturers, who are subject to multiple taxes, have enough difficulty competing against legitimate but cheaper imports, let alone against smuggled goods. Major international electronic brands have found that it is a lot easier to simply export their products into Indonesia rather than trying to produce locally.

Plywood manufacturers, once the primadonna of Indonesia's exports, have felt the brunt of smuggling. They have been starved of timber, the main raw material for plywood, because most Indonesian logs, felled legally or illegally, are being shipped to foreign producers -- their own competitors.

We have also heard of products which enjoy government subsidies, such as kerosene intended for the poor, being smuggled out of the country to capitalize on the huge price differentials.

Then there are continuing reports of sand smuggling to Singapore for its land reclamation project. Smuggling is not only hurting the state coffers, but worse, it is harming the environment of the Riau islets from where the sand is being taken.

There are many other instances of smuggling, reported as well as unreported, physical as well administrative, that are too numerous to list here. Suffice it to say that smuggling is not only hurting the government's purse, it is also costing the entire nation in terms of revenue, jobs, and the environment. At this rate, it could also bring about the collapse of the economy and with it the entire nation.

These are reasons enough for the nation to immediately declare war on smugglers. Like any declaration of war, this is a decision that only the President can make.

It is not enough to simply replace the customs chief, arrest the numerous small fry, or outsource the bulk of the customs work to foreign agencies. There has to be a more concerted effort, and most of all, a strong political will in fighting smuggling.

But wait. A war on smugglers? Here in Indonesia? Who is going to fight it? The police, the Navy, the Army, the customs agency? Think again.

Many of these smuggling activities could not take place unless they are conducted with the knowledge, support, or even the backing, of powerful individuals or institutions.

Some smuggling activities are simply too blatant to be able to pass the authorities unnoticed.

The illegal shipment of sand to Singapore using large barges could not have escaped the Navy's detection, yet, it is taking place all the same. Recent smuggling of luxury cars have been traced to senior officers of the National Police. And yet, we have not heard of any follow up on any of these allegations.

Smuggling and corruption combined have spiraled so out of control inside the customs agency that the government has replaced its chief and is considering to contract foreign customs inspectors.

Can we still trust our law enforcement people to wage the war against smuggling when they were themselves involved in the activities? Like the problem of corruption, this country is trapped in a vicious cycle in dealing with smuggling, knowing full well the damage it is inflicting on the nation but unable to act decisively against the culprits.

Like corruption, smuggling is undermining the country's entire economic recovery program. And judging from media reports on smuggling these last few months, the situation is getting worse.

So the entire nation continues to watch helplessly as the country rots and advances on the present path towards self- destruction. This cycle must sooner or later snap. And unless the government takes decisive action to once and for all declare a war on smuggling, the cycle will be broken for the worse and not better.