TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that the Bonded Logistic Center (Pusat Logistik Berikat – PLB) for e-commerce businesses is yet to operate. The statement rebutted allegations from industry players that currently, there is a flood of imported goods coming through the PLB for e-commerce.

"So, if there are complaints, especially in the field of e-commerce, that because of the PLB, they face competition from imported goods, I want to explain that until now, none of the PLB is operational," Minister Sri said on Friday, October 4, 2019.

Previously, Minister Sri conducted a site visit to one of the PLB location in Sunter, North Jakarta. The visit was conducted to directly monitor the condition of the PLB.

Sri also explained that the visit was related to the news that PLB is becoming the main source of a large flood of imported textile products. The direct visit, according to Sri, was done on the behest of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

Further, Minister Sri said that the statement also serves as clarification for complaints from businesses concerning the PLB for e-commerce. Businesses, Sri said, complained that presently, many of imported goods and e-commerce logistics have been stored in the PLB.

Sri also explained that policymakers will continue to gather inputs and suggestions from businesses, industry players, and the general public as part of the government's effort to issue policies that can provide solutions for existing issues

"This means, we will continue to listen to complaints, examine, and conduct evaluation. So, if we know the details, we can respond according to the existing problems," Sri stated.

The Finance Ministry added that although the concept had been developed from last year, the implementation of PLB for e-commerce still lacks in interested parties because e-commerce businesses were concerned that they will lose market.

Director General of Customs and Excise Heru Pambudi, said that currently, policymakers are in the position to receive any inputs from respective stakeholders concerning the PLB for e-commerce policy, including rising concerns of losing the competition if the PLB is to be opened.

"We are currently in the process of accepting inputs and explaining the policy from the government viewpoint," Heru said as quoted by Bisnis on Friday, October 4, 2019.

DIAS PRASONGKO | BISNIS