The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) mentioned other factors that have triggered the sluggishness of the domestic textile and apparel industry to date. As is known, the Industrial Confidence Index (IKI) Survey for the September 2023 period shows that the textile industry and apparel industry are the two subsectors experiencing contraction. Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, said that the increase in imported goods circulating within the country was the cause of the industry's IKI contraction. His party also regrets the implementation of the auction of imported textiles and textile products (TPT) which are categorized as State-Owned Goods (BMMN).

"BMMN auctions in the form of TPT products need to be coordinated with the Ministry of Industry. "This is to control the flow of TPT products that do not comply with SNI or come from illegal imports, so that they do not enter the domestic market," said Febri, quoted Wednesday (4/10/2023).

He explained that the auction of imported TPT products was carried out by the Directorate General of Customs and Excise, Ministry of Finance, through the Tanjung Priok Type A Main Service Office of Customs and Excise (KPU BC).

Meanwhile, the TPT products being auctioned include textile waste, various trousers, various clothes, tablecloths, sofa covers, and even pillowcases. Apart from that, there are also baby footwear and socks products.

According to Febri, if you look at the variety of TPT products being auctioned, you need to check again whether they are illegally imported goods.

"If it is an illegally imported item, the Ministry of Industry proposes to destroy the item being auctioned so as not to disrupt the domestic market. Especially if mandatory SNI applies to the product," he said.

He also explained that the prohibition on the distribution of imported products that do not comply with SNI also refers to Government Regulation no. 2/2017 concerning Development of Industrial Facilities and Infrastructure and Minister of Industry Regulation no. 45/2022 concerning Industrial Standardization.

Furthermore, Febri said, this alleged illegal import was related to the recent proliferation of similar goods which flooded the domestic textile market, thus threatening domestic textile products.

In this case, the destruction of imported textile products is the right action to take at this time. It was previously known that the domestic textile and apparel industry is currently still facing big challenges due to the impact of the world economic slowdown.