Many Migrant Workers Complain about Customs Fraud, Sri Mulyani Conducts Surprise Inspection at Soetta Airport and This Is What Was Found

Dream - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani conducted a surprise inspection at Soekarno Hatta Airport on Sunday, April 16, 2023, after attending the IMF Bank Spring Meetings 2023 in the United States.

The minister chose to use the same lane as other passengers to directly observe the Customs service and personally ensure that the entire business process is carried out professionally and smoothly.

“Starting from filling out the Electronic Customs Declaration (ECD, which can be done online at ecd.beacukai.go.id) to the IMEI registration process,” wrote Sri Mulyani on Instagram, Monday, April 17, 2023.

Sri Mulyani met with several passengers who turned out to be migrant workers. The state treasurer did not hesitate to have direct conversations with these foreign exchange heroes.

“Some are migrant workers who have just arrived in the country for the purpose of Eid. From Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia, to Kuwait,” said Sri Mulyani.

The former Executive Director of the World Bank was also accompanied by the Special Staff of the Minister of Finance for Strategic Communication, Yustinus Prastowo, who stated that all migrant workers gave the same testimony that they were served well and professionally by Customs.

“To Bu Narti, Mas Agus, Mbak Puput, and others, Bu Menkeu sends greetings to their families at home along with congratulations on welcoming Eid,” said Yustinus Prastowo in a Twitter post on the @prastow account.

Sri Mulyani also stated that the surprise inspection was one of the efforts of the Ministry of Finance to continue improving.

"I am very happy to see the cheerful faces of these foreign exchange heroes. Greetings to families at home..!," said Sri Mulyani.

Customs itself has been in the spotlight after many stories emerged about poor service. One of the stories was revealed by Alissa Wahid, the daughter of the 4th President of Indonesia, Gus Dur, regarding her luggage being rummaged by Customs officers.

Sri Mulyani asked the officials of the Directorate General of Customs to improve service management, including not rummaging through passengers' belongings.

"We also realize that our friends in Customs need to continue improving in terms of service, which should be based on risk management, so that they don't mix up everyone's belongings and make them angry," said Sri Mulyani during a meeting with Commission XI of the DPR, quoted from YouTube DPR RI, Tuesday, March 28, 2023.

Sri Mulyani added that Customs officers can optimize passenger profiling before inspecting their belongings. "There must be management to optimize profiling, and monitoring will also continue to be carried out to ensure good service," she said.

The minimum limit for passengers' belongings is US$500. The minimum limit is based on best practices carried out in all countries. If the value exceeds this limit, it can be checked.