President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia recently made a strong statement to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, reaffirming the government’s commitment to eliminating smuggling and questionable import practices. He emphasized that such activities have imposed unnecessary burdens on local businesses and the public, calling for an end to rent-seeking behavior in import operations.
At an Economic Dialogue event in Jakarta, Prabowo urged Customs to streamline procedures and crackdown on illicit smuggling activities. Drawing on his military background, he stressed the importance of taking decisive action against individuals involved in such practices to protect the people’s interests.
Additionally, Prabowo emphasized the necessity of fair and non-discriminatory practices in raw material imports, rejecting policies that benefit only a few large corporations. He underscored the significance of preventing import privileges from being monopolized by a select group of companies and advocated for a level playing field in the import industry.
The president’s unwavering stance on addressing import-related issues demonstrates his commitment to establishing a transparent and equitable trade environment. His emphasis on eliminating rent-seeking practices and promoting fairness in import activities aims to safeguard the interests of local businesses and the public, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and just economy.