VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Customs Office and the Singapore Police Coast Guard agreed on a Memorandum of Understanding in a bidto enhance maritime surveillance in the sea border area. The memorandum of Understanding was signed by Director General of Customs and Excise of the Indonesian Ministry of Finance, Heru Pambudi and Commander of Singapore Police Coast Guard, Cheang Keng Keong at the Customs Headquarters in Jakarta recently. Heru Pambudi in an official statement released by Bisnis Indonesia on Tuesday (4 Feb) said that the Memorandum of Understanding is intended as a basis ro cooperate in the exchange of information, to prevent and eradicate smuggling and other organized crime, as well as a basis for the two parties to work together on coordinated sea patrols. As a crossing location of inter-continental and inter-oceanic ships, the Indonesia-Singapore sea border becomes a strategic route that is crowded with international maritime activities. So, the route requires tight supervision.

The bilateral cooperation is also aimed at preventing the smuggling of goods, Narcotics, Psychotropics and Precursors (NPP) or other illegal goods. It is worried that illegal practices can be used to fund larger criminal activities, such as transnational organized crime and terrorism. The two parties will also work together to improve the ability of Human Resources  and institutions, through various education and trainings and capacity building, for the realization of strong and effective supervision. This cooperation is intended to secure sea crossings from security threats that connect the two countries, along with protecting the wider community. Furthermore this cooperation is also intended to protect local industries from smuggled goods which can reduce the competitiveness of the domestic market.