Demonstrated About Imported Goods Rules, Zulhas: I Only Underwent A Ratas Order

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan opened his voice about himself being protested by workers regarding the flood of imported goods entering the country.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas said that the Regulation of the Minister of Trade (Permendag) Number 8 of 2024 concerning Import Policy and Regulation was decided in a limited cabinet meeting (ratas).

Therefore, Zulhas is reluctant to be blamed. He stressed that he was only carrying out the orders that were decided in the meeting.

"So if there is a demonstration, the Minister of Trade is collaborating on the wrong Permendag. I carry out a mean order," he said when met at the Office of the Ministry of Trade, Jakarta, Wednesday, July 17.

Zulhas also emphasized that the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 8 of 2024 will not be revised. This is because the regulation was decided in a meeting attended by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Finance, and the Attorney General directly led by President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

"Yes, it's not (revised). It was the Coordinating Minister, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Finance, yes, after all, in front of the President, there is the Attorney General and others, right? I just do it. So why?" he said.

Zulhas said that initially the import rules were contained in the Rider Number 36 of 2023 concerning Import Policy and Regulation. The regulation was changed to Permendag Number 8 of 2024.

Furthermore, Zulhas explained that the Minister of Trade Regulation Number 8 of 2024 made import licensing requirements in the form of technical or technical considerations. Over time, a number of obstacles were found in the import licensing process. As a result, container buildup occurred in several main ports. Such as Tanjung Priok Port and Tanjung Perak Port.

"The good regulation of Permendag Number 36 asks to be changed that day too. In Peru at 2 am, I was called by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, that if the Minister of Trade cannot sign, then the one who will sign is the Minister of the Economy," he said.

Zulhas admitted that he refused to sign the regulation by Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto. Finally, Zulhas also signed the regulation from Peru so that Permendag Number 36 of 2023 changed Riders Number 8 of 2024.

"I said no, I am the Minister, I signed. So the Minister of Trade Number 36 changed to Minister of Trade Number 8, which I did not attend the meeting. Those who attended the meeting were the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Industry, the Minister of Finance and others," he explained.