The Ministry Of Industry Surprised That The Number Of Containers Detained Suddenly Rose To 26,415 During 2 Nights

The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) admits that it is surprised by the significant increase in the number of containers in just two days to 26,415.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, revealed that prior to the issuance of the Minister of Trade Regulation (Permendag) 8 of 2024 on 17 May 2024, Minister of Industry Agus had asked the Director General of Customs and Excise of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) Askolani regarding the number of containers held at the port.

Febri said that Askolani had answered Agus Gumiwang's question that there were around 4,000 containers stuck in the port.

On May 18, 2024, he said, the Minister for Economic Coordination (Airlangga Hartarto) and the Minister of Finance (Sri Mulyani) held a press conference in Tanjung Priok and stated that the number of containers detained at Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Perak Ports was 26,415.

"The question is, why did the detained container suddenly spike in the two nights? What are our comments? Is Bandung Bondowoso proposing to Roro Jonggrang in two nights? So, suddenly there are around 21,000 containers, suddenly there are two or three ports," Febri said at a press conference at his office, Wednesday, August 7.

He said Sri Mulyani had conveyed that the criteria for calculating or grouping a container in a container group that was held were containers that had entered and been stuck at the port since March 10, 2024.

Because of the permit that came out, it was stuck at the port.

"We doubt the calculation of the 26,415 figure, is there really a container? Because in the attachment section of the Director General of Customs (Askolani) earlier, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise presented the container data in 10 orders of the largest goods or the most containers," said Febri.

Based on data submitted by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, he said, the contents of the container have been grouped into the top 10 containers for raw materials, the top 10 auxiliary raw materials and the top 10 capital goods.

In detail, the top 10 raw/auxiliary materials with a total of 7,557 containers. Then, the top 10 consumer goods totaling 3,021 containers and the top 10 capital goods were 2,416 containers.

"So, in total, from the top three groups of goods, the top 10 reached 12,994 containers," he said.

Thus, continued Febri, the Ministry of Industry has not yet obtained data regarding the contents of the rest, which is 13.421 containers.

"Yesterday, we conveyed that there was data that was hidden. Well, this is what is meant, why isn't all the 26,415 data presented in attachments. Why was it made based on the top 10 of the largest group, how come the Minister of Industry wants to give appreciation to importers who carry so many containers," he concluded.

Previously, the Ministry of Industry assessed that Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani was not transparent about the contents of the 26,415 containers held at the port and then released from the port in May 2024.

Responding to the allegations, the Director of Communication and Guidance for Users of Customs and Excise Services, Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, admitted that he was confused by the statement made by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif.

Because, he said, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise had communicated it by letter.

"I'm also confused that I'm not transparent, people have been answered, there are attachments. That's it. The return period in the media is not funny," he said when met at the Customs Hoarding Site (TPP) Cikarang, West Java, Tuesday, August 6.

Nirwala also regretted the actions of the Ministry of Industry which actually brought this issue to the public.

According to him, inter-ministerial issues can write to each other if the data provided is not complete.

"Just use the letters, we will answer the letter," he said.