Letters: Service of custom offices

I am writing this out of pure frustration from the constant problems we face dealing with some corrupt government institutions within Indonesia.

My particular concern is with the customs offices who believe that they are a law upon themselves. No one is prepared to stand up to them for fear of reprisal in the future.

I am trying to run a business here that will not only generate income for the country through the payment of duties and taxes but also employment which as we all know has a flow on effect within the community.

Every time I import product (legally) we pay the required taxes and duties which is not a problem. What does concern me is the money that is required to ensure the smooth flow through the system.

The standard smoothing fee being asked at the moment at most ports is Rp 5 million (US$500) per container.

Why are we required to pay this when it should be part of their job that they are getting paid for?

My other concern is that even after we have paid the required duties and taxes they can then declare some of the goods prohibited imports and confiscate them. So if it is a prohibited import why except payment ? Why are the goods not returned to the port of origin if it is a problem.

I admire SBY for having a go at cleaning up the corruption but the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) needs to look into the grass roots of these departments as well.

Peter Pickering
Balikpapan