Finance Minister to See Customs Officials; Discuss Dwelling Time

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -  Finance Minister Muhammad Chatib Basri plans to hold a meeting with the Directorate General of Customs, to discuss the slow dwelling time of imported goods at the Port of Tanjung Priok, Jakarta. Based on the Supreme Audit Agency's audit, dwelling time for exported goods in 2013 could reach up to 7.73 days, while the average dwelling time of imported goods reached 5.98 days.

"I want these findings to be further examined," Chatib said at the Ministry office, yesterday.

The longest dwelling time for import occurred in August 2013 where it reached 18.73 days. "The increasingly long dwelling time indicates congestion at Tanjung Priok port," BPK's audit result stated in the second half of 2013.

One of the most significant findings in the audit the lack of firm regulations regarding commodity and importers updates. Other findings include disadvantages of risk management and information tracking systems.

According to the BPK, filing permits or recommendation has not been fully supported by online systems and information systems are not integrated, so that can lead to abuse of authority and supervision of the customs service in the determination of the path.

Chatib claimed that the Finance Ministry has made repairs related to the issue, including lowering the yard occupancy ratio (YOR) to 60 percent.

ANGGA SUKMA WIJAYA