Prevention, Monitoring, Law Enforcement Are Key to Tackle Smuggling: President Jokowi

President Jokowi leads a limited cabinet meeting on measures to tackle smuggling at the Presidential Office on Wednesday (29/6)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo says that the Government already knows areas that are prone to smuggling of illegal goods and three measures are to be taken to address the issue: prevention, monitoring, and law enforcement.

“We have to limit the activities of the smugglers. In areas that are most vulnerable to smuggling, we have to continue conducting a coordinating joint patrol,” the President said in his introductory remarks at the limited cabinet meeting on measures to tackle smuggling at the Presidential Office on Wednesday (29/6).

Measures also have to be taken to in border areas to prevent smuggling, President Jokowi added.

Regarding monitoring in areas prone to smuggling, especially in Sumatera, President Jokowi stresses on the importance of joint surveillance and patrol.

“Together, all officials from the TNI (the Indonesian National Defense Forces), the Indonesian National Police, Bakamla (the Maritime Security Board), KKP (Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) must join ranks and be in synergy to conduct a coordinated joint patrol in areas prone to smuggling,” the President said.

In the meantime, commenting on dishonest state personnel who back up smuggling, President Jokowi says a firm action must be taken against them.

“Bear in mind that if we cannot curb smuggling, people will be discouraged to make production and investors will be discouraged to make investment here. Thus, we will suffer from a big loss. Therefore, we have to take a firm action again those involved in it indiscriminately,” the President said.

Also attending the meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs  Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Rizal Ramli, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Minister of Finance Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of State-owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno, Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pusjiastuti, Minister of Agriculture Amran Sulaiman, Minister of the Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, and Minister of Trade Thomas Lembong. (DND/SM/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)