Head of Merauke Customs and Excise, Dian Kaban, said the ban on the sale of imported used clothing, especially in Merauke, was the government's effort to protect the domestic textile industry. This was conveyed by Dian in her remarks during activities to strengthen synergy for supervision and better Merauke Customs and Excise services at Swiss-Bellhotel Merauke, South Papua, Wednesday (8/3/2023). "We are socializing with the police and local government about how to cover the sale of used clothes again, these used clothes have an impact on the domestic textile industry," said Dian when conveying Customs and Excise's duties in guarding and protecting the domestic industry.

Meanwhile, regarding the supervision of imported used clothing in Merauke, Dian ensured that no used clothing imports were carried out in Merauke.

Regarding this supervision, it is difficult for his party to ascertain whether the clothes in Merauke are imported used clothes or domestic used clothes.

"We can't call it imported used clothes, because I can confirm that there is no import of used clothes in Merauke," said Dian.

"Only, we ensure that imports are difficult, which means these used clothes could be used domestic clothes," he added.

Until now, the Merauke Regency Government has not taken action to close the sales of used clothing as scheduled in early March.

Head of the Industry, Trade and Cooperatives Office, Erick Rumlus, said that his party would still coordinate with regional leaders regarding the implementation of Ministerial Regulation Number 40 of 2022 concerning goods prohibited from importing and goods prohibited from being exported.

Also related to this matter, the Merauke DPRD Commission has asked for a policy on closing the sale of used imported clothing for traders to give traders space to think about other business alternatives that traders can do.

Meanwhile, second-hand clothing traders asked that the ban on second-hand clothes apply evenly throughout Indonesia.