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| Foto: Customs Officers Indonesia |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,JAKARTA, Indonesia – In a bold and unprecedented move signaling a major overhaul of its bureaucracy, the Indonesian government has issued a stark ultimatum to its customs and excise service: significantly improve public and business services within the next 12 months, or face the redeployment of approximately 16,000 personnel.
This drastic measure underscores the administration's growing impatience with bureaucratic inefficiencies that are seen as hindering economic competitiveness and investment flows into Southeast Asia's largest economy.
The warning was formally delivered by high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Finance, which oversees the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC). The core message is clear: the current level of service is unacceptable for a nation aspiring to become a global economic powerhouse.
"If within one year there is no significant change, no transformation in services to the public and business actors, then we will 'rumahkan' [redeploy] around 16,000 customs and excise personnel," stated a senior finance ministry official, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak publicly.
The term "rumahkan" in this context does not directly translate to mass layoffs, but rather to a large-scale reassignment or redeployment of staff to other positions within the vast government apparatus. However, for the employees involved, it represents a profound threat to their career stability and a clear indictment of their performance.
The government's frustration is rooted in several persistent issues plaguing the customs ecosystem:
1. Slow Clearance Times: Cargo, both imports and exports, often faces delays at ports and airports due to cumbersome paperwork, manual processes, and overlapping inspections. This "dwell time" increases logistics costs for businesses, making Indonesian products less competitive.
2. Lack of Transparency and Predictability: Businesses frequently complain about inconsistent rulings and a lack of clarity in regulations, which can lead to unexpected costs and complications. The subjective interpretation of rules creates an environment ripe for uncertainty.
3. Inefficiency and Red Tape: Despite the implementation of digital systems like INSW (Indonesia National Single Window), many traders report that the process remains fragmented, requiring physical submissions and multiple visits to different offices.
4. Perception of Rent-Seeking: The historical reputation of customs as a sector vulnerable to illicit practices and corruption, though improved in recent years, continues to be a concern for the government and international partners.
A recent World Bank report on ease of doing business consistently highlighted border compliance and documentary compliance as areas where Indonesia lags behind regional peers like Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
For the administration of President Joko Widodo, which has prioritized infrastructure development and deregulation to attract investment, an inefficient customs service is a critical bottleneck. The flow of goods is the lifeblood of trade, and any obstruction directly impacts the national economy.
"This is a form of shock therapy," said an economic analyst familiar with the matter. "The government is sending a message that the era of complacency is over. They are not just threatening jobs; they are threatening the very structure of a historically powerful institution. The goal is to create a customs service that is facilitator, not a barrier, to trade."
The official line from the ministry emphasizes that this is not a punitive measure but a necessary step in a broader transformation agenda. The state is providing a clear timeline and the resources for improvement, but the onus is now on the leadership and staff of the DJBC to demonstrate tangible results.
The potential redeployment of 16,000 officers would represent one of the most significant civil service restructurings in Indonesia's recent history. The implications are far-reaching:
· For Officers: Morale within the customs service is likely to be severely impacted in the short term. However, it could also serve as a powerful motivator for those willing to adapt and embrace reform.
· For Businesses: The business community has largely welcomed the announcement with cautious optimism. "If this leads to faster, clearer, and more predictable customs procedures, it will be a game-changer for our supply chain and cost structure," said the head of a major import-export association.
· For the Nation: A successful reform would enhance Indonesia's trade competitiveness, boost foreign direct investment, and increase state revenue from more efficient collection. A failure to improve, leading to mass redeployment, could cause significant operational disruption before a new system is established.
The clock is now ticking for the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. The next 12 months will be a period of intense scrutiny, internal reform, and likely, the rapid acceleration of digitalization projects. Training programs on integrity, customer service, and modern customs procedures are expected to be rolled out extensively.
The ultimate question remains: Will this drastic warning be the catalyst needed to forge a modern, efficient, and world-class customs service for Indonesia, or will it become a case study in the difficulties of reforming a deeply entrenched bureaucracy? The answer will shape the nation's economic trajectory for years to come.