Asked About Sea Sand Exports, Zulhas: Why Ask Me, That's A Government Regulation

Minister of Trade Zulhas (Photo: Antara)

TANGERANG - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan opened his voice about the export tap of sea sand that was re-opened. As is known, this sea sand export policy came into effect after the two regulations of the Minister of Trade in the export sector were revised.

The revision is contained in Permendag Number 20 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to the Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 22 of 2023 concerning Goods Prohibited from Exporting and Permendag Number 21 of 2024 concerning the Second Amendment to Regulation of the Minister of Trade Number 23 of 2023 concerning Export Policy and Regulation.

When asked about the impact of the sea sand export license, the man who is familiarly called Zulhas considered that the question was not appropriate to be raised to him. This is because the export license for these commodities has already been regulated in Government Regulations (PP).

"How come I asked? That's a government policy," Zulhas told reporters when met after the exposure of illegal imported goods in the Jatake Industrial Estate, Tangerang City, Banten, Monday, September 23.

Zulhas said that the PP which regulates the export commodity had been issued by the government for a long time. In fact, it was two years ago.

Previously, the government issued Government Regulation Number 26 of 2023 concerning Management of sedimentation Results in the Sea. Where the regulation contains a series of activities for transporting, placing, using, and selling, including exports of sedimentation products in the sea in the form of sea sand.

Therefore, according to Zulhas, the Permendag issued by his party is a consequence of the PP.

"There are government regulations, it's been a long time, so if you want to ask first, it should be a consequence. It's been two years, right," he said.

When asked about whether he agreed with the PP, Zulhas emphasized that it was not about agreeing or disagreeing. However, he said he served as a minister who was part of the government.

"I'm the government, so when there is a government regulation, I don't participate," he explained.

Previously, it was reported that the sea sand export policy took effect after Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan received a proposal from the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to revise the two Regulations of the Minister of Trade in the export sector.

"The revision of the two Permendag is a mandate of Government Regulation Number 26 of 2023 and is a proposal from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) as a supervisory agency for the management of sedimentation results at sea," said the Director General of Foreign Trade at the Ministry of Trade, Isy Karim.

Even so, Isy emphasized, sea sand exports can only be done after meeting domestic needs.

"Exports from sedimentation in the sea in the form of sea sand can be determined as long as domestic needs are met and in accordance with the provisions of the legislation," he explained.