The Minister of Trade (Mendag) Zulkifli Hasan destroyed illegally imported products worth IDR 12 billion at the Surya Terang Warehousing Complex, Sidoarjo, East Java (East Java) on Monday (24/7/2023). Destruction was carried out on 12 types of products that were found to be in violation during the import process. These products are processed animal products, forestry, ceramics, footwear, electronics, cosmetics, food and beverages, children's toys, certain textile products, certain other textiles, apparel and its accessories, as well as water measuring instruments.

“These products hit Indonesia's industry and economy. Therefore, we must take swift and decisive steps in the midst of today's tight competition in the world," Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said as quoted in a press release received.

In carrying out these activities, the Ministry of Trade (Kemendag) cooperates with a number of parties including the Directorate General (Ditjen) of Customs and Excise, the Ministry of Finance, the High Court, and the Police.

The rules the product violated included not having the required import permits in

Minister of Trade Regulation 20 of 2021 concerning Import Policies and Regulations, as amended by Regulation of Minister of Trade Number 25 of 2022. Regulation of Minister of Trade Number 26 of 2021 concerning Standards for Business Activities and Products in the Implementation of Risk-Based Business Licensing in the Trade Sector.

"These products entered the domestic market without completing the documents," said the Trade Minister.

According to the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan, Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have extraordinary capabilities and are on par with other countries. But if disturbed like this, the industry will be unable to compete with used and illegal products that flood the market. this is of course very detrimental.

"We continue to consistently eradicate and destroy these items. This is shock therapy. This is a very important task to protect the Indonesian economy. Because if the economy grows, prosperity and welfare increase. But if the economy is disrupted, unemployment will increase," continued the Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan.

Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan appreciated the cooperation of various parties who have been fighting illegal products to protect the Indonesian economy. "We are grateful for the cooperation of all parties. We continue to consistently fight against used and illegal goods in the country. If we fight this, then our economy will grow, MSMEs will develop, we can flood other countries with our products of better quality," he added.

In the January-June 2023 period, BPTN Surabaya has supervised 98 companies and 186 Goods Import Declaration Documents (PIB). Through this supervision, 33 violations were found with details of 13 subject to warning sanctions, 19 subject to warning sanctions and destruction of goods, and 1 subject to customs access blocking sanctions.