Makassar Customs Reveals 180 Grams Of Gold Used By Hajj Pilgrims Apparently Immitated

Suarnati Daeng Kanang (left) accompanied by his legal advisor, Ayu (two right) walked out of the room after undergoing an examination at the Makassar Customs Office, South Sulawesi, Tuesday. (10/7/2023). BETWEEN/Darwin Fatir.

Makassar Customs and Excise revealed that the gold brought by the pilgrims from Makassar, South Sulawesi, Suarnati Daeng Kanang (46) whose video went viral, was not real gold, aka imitation.

"Based on our research, we have coordinated the goods with pawnshops. From pawnshops, we conclude that the goods are not gold, that's the result. It might be like that (immitation)," said Head of the Makassar Customs Counseling and Information Service Section, Ria Novika Sari, as reported by ANTARA, Monday, July 10.

He explained that after the inspection was carried out, including visiting the residence concerned for confirmation. In question cooperatively showed he brought gold jewelry when he got off the plane and matched it with the viral video.

"And indeed our conclusion is that it was the same item or jewelry when he came from Jeddah to Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Makassar," he explained.

In addition, Suarnati said that she did buy the goods from abroad (in Saudi Arabia) and were not real gold at a price of under one million.

"The person concerned said that it was true that the goods were purchased from abroad and the imitation cost around Rp. 9 hundreds of thousands, so it was below one million," he said.

According to him, in terms of passenger luggage, especially those arriving from the International, there is a release of 500 US Dollars.

As long as the goods have not or are below 500 US Dollars, they will be given exemption from import duties and taxes in the context of imports, so they are tax-free.

"Yes, because it is the goods. Not gold, so the value may not be up to hundreds of millions, not more than 500 US dollars," he explained.

Previously, Suarnati Daeng Kanang accompanied by his legal adviser fulfilled the summons for an examination at the Makassar Customs Office, Jalan Nusantara, Makassar Port complex. Daeng Kanang was clarified about 2 hours from 08.00-10.00 WITA.

"It has been clarified at customs. Earlier, that was the information. So we have no more problems in Customs and Excise. It has been clarified everything related to the viral video. From eight o'clock (checked). For more details, please confirm with Customs and Excise," said Ayu's legal adviser.

Hajj pilgrims from Makassar, South Sulawesi, Suarnati went viral on social media after showing off a number of gold on their bodies after landing at Makassar Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport in Maros Regency on Wednesday (5/7/2023) for the first batch after carrying out the pilgrimage in the holy land.

This female Hajj pilgrim knows that the food entrepreneur whose actions were later recorded and the video went viral on social media and finally dealt with Customs and Excise to be examined regarding his luggage luxury.

Apart from Suarnati, another pilgrim Mira Hayati from Makassar, South Sulawesi, also brought home the gold weighing one kilogram that she bought in the holy land. The gold was bought on the grounds that her family had souvenirs in Makassar, the purchase of gold was estimated at more than Rp. 1 billion.

This skincare or beauty cream entrepreneur will also be examined and confirmed by Customs and Excise in Jakarta regarding Import Duty exceeded the provisions for landing at Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport, Jakarta.