In Line With Purbaya, Trade Minister Budi Regarding Thrifting: Illegal Is Illegal

Minister of Trade Budi Santoso. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Minister of Trade (Mendag) Budi Santoso emphasized the government's attitude towards thrifting traders who asked to be given a quota of imported used clothes. He said the request could not be fulfilled.

Budi emphasized that imports of used clothes are prohibited by law, because it is an illegal act. Therefore, said Budi, the import quota cannot be given.

The rules regarding the prohibition of importing used clothes are regulated in Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trade and Regulation of the Minister of Trade (Permendag) Number 40 of 20242 concerning Prohibited Exports and Prohibited Imports.

"The name illegal is illegal," Budi told reporters at the Ministry of Trade Office, Jakarta, November 27.

Furthermore, Budi said the destruction of around 19,000 balpres for illegal used clothing was completed at the end of November.

"The 19,000 balpres ones, starting from October 14, finished at the end of November," he said.

For your information, previously a thrift trader at Pasar Senen, Central Jakarta suggested an import quota for used clothes. Barkah, they also agreed to pay taxes. The request is an option to legalize the THrifting business of illegal imported clothing.

Separately, Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadive also emphasized that used imported clothes remain illegal. Therefore, he said no one discussed it with Thrifting traders.

"There is no case, right? I'm a clear case. Illegal goods are illegal, that's all," said Purbaya at the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy, Jakarta, Thursday, November 27.

Previously, Purbaya had also emphasized that he would not legalize the sale of used clothes, aka Thrifting, even though traders were willing to pay taxes.

"I don't care about the traders. Anyway, the goods are illegal, I will stop," said Purbaya to the media crew, Thursday, November 20.

Purnaya said the ban on the sale of used imported clothes was aimed at preventing the opening of markets for illegal imported goods. If it is filled with illegal imported goods, according to him, domestic entrepreneurs will not benefit from the economy.

"If the domestic market is controlled by foreign goods, what are the benefits for domestic entrepreneurs?" said Purbaya.

Untuk memaksimalkan pasar dalam negeri, bendahara negara ini memastikan akan menindak tegas praktik penjualan baju bekas impor.

Sementara itu, pedagang yang selama ini menjual baju impor bekas akan diarahkan untuk menjual barang-barang UMKM.

“Kalau mereka (pedagang) bilang jelek, kan banyak yang bagus. Permintaan menentukan kualitas barang, kalau jelek ya nggak dibeli sama masyarakat,” kata Purbaya.

To maximize the domestic market, the state treasurer ensures that he will take firm action against the practice of selling used imported clothes.

Meanwhile, traders who have been selling used imported clothes will be directed to sell MSME goods.

"If they (traders) say they are bad, there are many good ones. Requests to determine the quality of goods, if they are bad, they will not be bought by the community," said Purbaya.