Customs Reacts to Kaesang-Erina Gudono's Alleged Avoidance of Customs Duties

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Directorate General of Customs has responded to public inquiries regarding the controversy surrounding luxury goods belonging to President Joko Widodo or Jokowi's youngest son, Kaesang Pangarep, and his wife Erina Gudono. Allegations have surfaced that the couple's belongings were not inspected by Customs upon their arrival from a private jet flight.

In a video circulating on social media, Kaesang and Erina are seen loading their belongings directly into their car without undergoing customs clearance. The younger brother of Vice President-elect Gibran Rakabuming had traveled to the United States on a private jet.

Nirwala Dwi Heryanto, Customs’ Director of Public Relations, stated that the institution is investigating the video's authenticity and flight status. “We’re still checking it,” he said on Monday, August 26.

He clarified that domestic flights do not require excise duties, while international flights are subject to standard clearance procedures, including immigration and customs checks.

The controversy surrounding Kaesang-Erina's use of a private jet has sparked significant online discussion. Netizens have expressed suspicion that their goods may have avoided customs duties due to the direct transfer to their vehicle.

Customs has become a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter) following the allegations. Many users demanded an investigation into Kaesang-Erina's belongings.

The video depicting Kaesang and Erina's alleged avoidance of customs duties has prompted widespread criticism and calls for accountability. Netizens have demanded that the Director General of Customs and Excise, as well as the Special Staff of the Finance Minister for Strategic Communication, Yustinus Prastowo, who is active on X, investigate the allegations.

The commotion has also spread to the official Instagram account of Customs and Excise. In a post about customs services at Cirebon Customs, several netizens commented on the allegations against Kaesang and Erina.

Netizens have also estimated the cost of renting a private jet to be between US$13,000 and US$19,750 per hour, equivalent to approximately Rp202 million to Rp308.8 million per hour. The type of private jet allegedly used was a Gulfstream G650.

An economist from UPN Veteran Jakarta, Achmad Nur Hidayat, has called on Kaesang to provide transparency regarding the use of a private jet for his trip to the United States with Erina Gudono. He emphasized that the use of a luxury private jet during challenging economic times can be perceived as insensitive and offensive to the public.

He further highlighted that the alleged use of a private jet occurred during a period of heightened political tension in Indonesia. This coincided with mass demonstrations against a proposed electoral law that was suspected of favoring Kaesang for a potential run in the 2024 regional elections.

He urged Kaesang Pangarep and his family to consider the societal impact of their actions. “They should uphold transparency, empathy, and commitment to democratic principles,” he told Tempo on Sunday, August 25.

ADIL AL HASAN

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