by Dames Alexander Sinaga
JAKARTA, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government has been stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal import of secondhand clothing in a bid to protect the local textile industry and safeguard public health.
Last Saturday, local police in Batam, the largest city in Riau Islands province, arrested 25 people for allegedly smuggling used clothes into the country.
The Barelang Police, which oversees the city, carried out the operation after receiving tips from residents about the suspicious unloading of imported goods from two containers onto three trucks in Tanjung Uncang area.
Police officers arriving at the scene found that the unloading was being conducted without official documentation. Those detained included truck drivers and loading workers.
"We appreciate the role of the community in daring to report. Such a synergy is important to eradicate smuggling practices in Batam area," said Barelang Police Chief Zaenal Arifin.
According to the police chief, the containers were filled with large sacks of used clothing intended for local markets. He said the raid demonstrated the authorities' commitment to enforce the ban on imported secondhand clothing.
Indonesia has long prohibited the import of used clothes to protect its domestic textile sector, maintain employment, and reduce health risks associated with pre-owned garments.
Despite the regulation, the practice of thrifting, or shopping for imported secondhand clothing, remains popular among Indonesians, especially as new branded clothes often cost more than the average consumer can afford. The trend has also expanded through online marketplaces and social media platforms.
To tackle the issue, the government has been working with major e-commerce companies to prevent the sale of imported secondhand clothes online. Last week, the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises held a meeting with representatives of the Indonesian E-commerce Association to strengthen coordination.
Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa said in late October that the government would impose fines, penalties, and blacklists on those involved in smuggling secondhand clothes.
He added that authorities would tighten supervision at ports and encourage used-clothes traders to shift toward locally made textile products to help revive the country's textile industry.
"The goal is to revive Indonesia's textile industry and create jobs for local producers," he said. ■