The Ministry Of Industry Calls There Are 1,600 Containers Detained Containing Rice

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) has again responded to the 26.415 containers that were held at the port a few months ago.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry Febri Hendri Antoni Arif said, based on data obtained by his party from the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu), the thousands of containers that were held back, including rice.

Information regarding the contents of the container is contained in the letter number S-10 / MK.4 / 2024 dated July 17, 2024.

For the thousands of containers, DJBC groups based on the Board Economic Category (BEC). In detail, the raw materials and auxiliarys amounted to 21,166 containers (80.13 percent) of 3,356 containers of consumer goods (12.70 percent) and 1,893 containers of capital goods (7.17 percent).

"The top 10 consumer goods, the number of rice containers is 1,600," Febri said at a press conference at his office, Wednesday, August 7.

He also explained that consumer goods that were held back apart from rice were processed foods as many as 412 containers.

Then, the most detained raw/auxiliary materials at the port reached 1,319 containers. Followed by the most suspended capital goods, namely air pumps and compressors as many as 656 containers.

Although the container data has been grouped and opened by DJBC, the contents of further details have no clarity from the relevant parties.

According to Febri, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise has not shown detailed clarity, including in terms of the importer behind the goods. So, at this time it is not known exactly the legality aspect of the confiscated goods.

"Nothing, there has been no explanation from Customs and Excise regarding (container) containing the rice," said Febri.

"Kalau tadi menyatakan sudah transparan belum? Belum transparan, Makanya kami berharap (Ditjen Bea Cukai) lebih aktif setelah ini," tuturnya.

Furthermore, Febri considered that clear data on the contents of the container was very necessary. Therefore, it must be conveyed clearly. This is needed by the Ministry of Industry to determine the right policy to mitigate the same conditions in the future.

"The right policy must be based on accurate, fast data. For example, data such as a letter submitted by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, we are also confused, which is the item," he concluded.

The problem of the container being held back began in mid-May 2024. At that time, it was informed that 26,415 containers were detained at Tanjung Priok Port, North Jakarta, Tanjung Perak Port, Surabaya and Belawan Port in Medan, North Sumatra.

Then, the Ministry of Industry asked for information about the contents of the 26,415 containers in detail so that they could mitigate the impact of the removal of all detained containers on the industries in the country.

Then, the Ministry of Industry also sent a letter to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise at the Ministry of Finance. However, the Ministry of Industry claims that the data submitted in the letter is too macro, not detailed and only partially.