Prabowo Subianto, the President of Indonesia, recently sent a strong message to the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating smuggling and questionable import practices. He emphasized that such activities have imposed unnecessary burdens on local businesses and the public, calling for an end to rent-seeking behaviors in import activities. Speaking at an Economic Dialogue event in Jakarta, Prabowo urged Customs to streamline procedures and crackdown on illicit smuggling activities, drawing on his military background to stress the need for decisive action against wrongdoers. He also emphasized the importance of fair and non-discriminatory import practices for raw materials, rejecting policies that only benefit a few large corporations. Prabowo highlighted the significance of preventing import privileges from being monopolized by a small group of companies, advocating for a level playing field in the import sector. His unwavering stance on addressing import-related issues demonstrates his commitment to establishing a transparent and equitable trade environment that protects the interests of local businesses and the public, working towards a more inclusive and just economy.
