Susi Proposes Indonesia Out of G20
12 November 2014 08:54 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti has controversially proposed that Indonesia withdraw from the G20.
During a discussion with fisheries entrepreneurs in her office on Tuesday, November 11, 2014, Susi said she had sent a letter to Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto and President Joko Widodo about her proposal.
Susi said Indonesia should stop its membership in G20, which had caused the country to sustain frequent losses, especially in the fisheries sector. Susi added fishery imports were also imposed with a 14 percent tariff due to the membership.
“Indonesia does not receive a zero-percent facility because of the G20,” said Susi.
Susi took for example that Indonesia's tuna exports presently stood at US700 million, yet it lost US$105 million due to the import tariff. She explained a similar issue also happened with shrimp commodities, with losses amounting to US$150 million from its total export of US$1.5 billion.
Therefore, Susi said Indonesia would be better off without the G20 and became a developing country to gain significant income. “I will ask the president in the cabinet meeting later,” said Susi.
HUSSEIN ABRI YUSUF
