Jakarta, INTI - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) reaffirmed that, at an institutional level, it does not tolerate illegal import practices, manipulation of export facilities, or abuse of authority that could harm national industry and the country’s economy. If there is information, data, or evidence indicating irregularities, the involvement of individuals, or practices that violate regulations in the process of issuing import technical approvals (Pertek), the public is encouraged to report them through Kemenperin’s complaint channels at the Public Service Unit (UPP) or the Inspectorate General (Itjen). The ministry will conduct a thorough investigation should there be credible data and strong evidence of fraudulent practices. In addition, Kemenperin fully supports law enforcement efforts against all forms of illegal import activities.

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has consistently emphasized the importance of strengthening internal integrity, cleaning up systems, and improving governance to prevent the recurrence of fraudulent practices within the industrial sector.

Furthermore, Kemenperin regularly and continuously engages in communication with business actors and textile and textile product (TPT) industry associations through formal forums, policy dialogues, and technical discussions related to strengthening import governance, supervision, and domestic industry development.

Across these engagements, the ministry consistently promotes transparency, regulatory compliance, and system improvements to ensure that implemented policies genuinely support a healthy, competitive TPT industry oriented toward real production and exports.

“Input and criticism from associations and stakeholders will continue to serve as evaluation material for us in refining policies, while also strengthening cross-ministerial and inter-agency synergies to close potential loopholes that could be misused,” explained Febri Hendri Antoni Arief, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry.

The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) called on all parties to view the issue in a comprehensive, proportional, and data-driven manner, and to support the handling of alleged import mafia practices through a cross-authority and comprehensive approach, so as to avoid oversimplification that could lead to misleading conclusions.

Responding to reports regarding findings by the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK) on indications of suspicious fund flows amounting to IDR 12.49 trillion in the textile trade sector, Kemenperin emphasized that the matter is entirely unrelated to the issuance of Technical Considerations (Pertek) for textile and textile product (TPT) imports. The issuance of TPT import Pertek has been carried out in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations, as well as the principles of good governance.

Kemenperin respects and fully supports the authority and analytical findings of PPATK concerning suspicious transactions in the accounts of textile trading companies. The ministry also supports the follow-up actions and legal processes arising from PPATK’s analysis of those transactions.

Febri stated that Kemenperin has not seen, nor is there currently any evidence, linking the suspicious transactions to the process of issuing TPT import Pertek within the ministry. He noted that certain parties outside PPATK and law enforcement authorities have attempted to associate the two issues, despite the absence of any factual connection.

“It would be better for us to wait for the legal process regarding the suspicious transactions amounting to IDR 12.49 trillion in the textile trade sector’s accounts. Kemenperin supports PPATK’s findings and the legal process related to those findings. We believe that the suspicious transactions are in no way connected to the issuance of TPT import Pertek by Kemenperin, as the import recommendation process has already complied with the principles of good governance, namely transparency and accountability under existing regulations,” Febri said.

Furthermore, Febri explained that, in principle, all processes for issuing Technical Considerations (Pertek) are carried out in accordance with prevailing regulations, through documented and traceable systems, and are supported by internal oversight mechanisms.

Pertek Covers Only Part of the National Textile Import Ecosystem 

He emphasized that not all textile and textile product (TPT) import flows enter through Kemenperin-issued Pertek. The Pertek instrument covers only part of the national textile import ecosystem. Various other customs schemes fall outside Kemenperin’s authority and do not require Pertek, including Bonded Zones, Bonded Warehouses, Bonded Logistics Centers, Special Economic Zones, the Import Facility for Export Purposes (KITE), as well as certain other import channels.

As previously stated in Kemenperin’s press releases, the gap between national import data and Pertek volumes cannot automatically be interpreted as a weakness in the ministry’s governance. Imported goods may enter through multiple mechanisms, including bulk imports or illegal practices, which fall beyond Kemenperin’s authority and do not require Pertek.

Febri also stressed that from 2017 to the present, the regulation of TPT imports has consistently been conducted through formal inter-ministerial and inter-agency mechanisms. These processes include determining import requirements through Limited Coordination Meetings (Rakortas) under the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the implementation of Industrial Capability Verification (VKI), and the annual issuance of Pertek regulated by the Minister of Industry Regulation. All of these stages are carried out in a transparent, measurable, and well-documented manner.

“The data shows that Pertek volumes have in fact become increasingly selective and proportional compared to total national imports. This reflects the government’s prudence in maintaining a balance between meeting industrial raw material needs and protecting domestic industries,” he emphasized.

The ministry’s spokesperson added that the expansion of Harmonized System (HS) codes subject to import prohibition and restriction (Lartas) policies, as well as Pertek requirements under the latest regulations, represents a corrective step by the government to strengthen national TPT import governance and close potential loopholes for misuse.

Conclusion 

Through a regulated, traceable, and multi-agency governance framework, Kemenperin reaffirmed its commitment to upholding good governance in the management of textile imports. By clarifying the scope of Pertek, strengthening coordination across ministries, and refining regulatory coverage, the government aims to ensure that import policies remain transparent, proportionate, and supportive of a healthy and competitive domestic textile industry.

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