Member of the North Sumatra DPRD, Sugianto Makmur asked all imported used clothing traders who still have goods in stock to remain calm and continue selling as usual. The DPRD of North Sumatra has also asked related parties who have authority over the import of used clothing, so that there will be no more terror against traders or warehouses and residents' homes that store Balpress. "Based on the Joint Hearing Meeting (RDP) of the North Sumatra DPRD Commission together with Poldasu, Regional Office of North Sumatra BC, North Sumatra Trade and Industry Office, BI, OJK, Environment and Forestry Service and Used Clothes Traders Association, a few days ago, it was agreed that all parties would comply with the agreement not to arrest second-hand clothing traders, both retailers and traders of imported used clothing in North Sumatra," said Sugianto, Saturday (8/4/2023.

As a member of the PDI Perjuangan faction, Sugianto hopes that Customs and Excise, in enforcing the law, can tighten the whole process of importing used clothing, not cracking down on used clothing that has entered Indonesia so far.

"Relevant parties such as BC and others, in the future can tighten the process of importing used clothes. However, let the goods that are already there become a fortune for traders to continue selling properly," he said.

He said, if you want to save Textile MSMEs, this is really not true. According to him, the main problem for the textile industry is government regulations which are burdensome for the textile industry itself

"Just a big efficient industry, it's hard to fight off attacks on imports of apparel which have increased significantly, why do we say we are defending MSMEs in the textile sector and why can imported clothes be cheap," said Sugianto.

Sugianto said, it must also be admitted, the government's failure has resulted in many underprivileged people, so imported used clothing is a solution for them. With IDR 50,000, they can buy 2 or 3 clothes.

"The market segment between new clothes and used clothes is very thin in price, even with a fifty thousand banknote, people can buy more clothes," he said.

Please note, imports of apparel in 2019 increased from USD 4 billion to USD 9 billion or equivalent to IDR 135 trillion.