DIGIVESTASI - Social Media Rumors: Raid on Shopping Centers Over Imported Goods. There have been rumors circulating on social media that shopping centers such as Tanah Abang and ITC Mangga Dua are being raided for selling imported goods. It is suspected that these rumors originated from the government's plan to establish a Task Force (Satgas) to combat illegal imports that harm the domestic fashion industry.

Situation at Tanah Abang

According to CNBC Indonesia's observation at Tanah Abang Wholesale Center, Block A, Floor 3, on Thursday (July 18, 2024), merchants appeared to be panicking, closing their shops despite it being only 11:20 AM local time. The atmosphere became unusual with sudden announcements of a raid at the location.

“Raid… Raid,” echoed throughout the shopping center, prompting merchants to close their shops hurriedly without verifying the source of the news. They frantically repeated the same message, “Raid… Raid.”

The merchants' faces showed signs of panic as they hurried to move items previously displayed in their shop windows. Within minutes, goods were hastily rearranged inside the shops to close them as quickly as possible.

This panic affected over 10 shops, which were concerned that their goods might be confiscated if the raid was indeed carried out. The usual bustling noise of merchants offering their goods was replaced by the panicked spread of raid news.

“If the shop is closed due to a raid. I got info from traders in Pasar Senen, they have already closed, and the same goes for Mangga Dua. The raid hasn’t reached here yet, but people are anticipating it. Better to close and lose a million rupiahs in sales than face a loss of hundreds of millions,” said Ali, an importer of Chinese shoes who spoke to CNBC Indonesia at the location.

“This is not just merchants being anxious, but completely panicked and scared,” he added.

Ali mentioned that this fear among traders arose after Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan made a firm statement to eradicate illegal imported goods.

“Mr. Zulkifli Hasan said he wants to raid imported goods. He said he wants to eradicate it. So, people here keep anticipating. People are scared,” he said.

Ina, another trader, also closed her shop in panic due to concerns about the raid. She claimed to have received information about the import raid from the shipping company that supplies goods from importers to traders.

“I got information that today there will be a large-scale raid. So, we received info from the shipping company, telling us to close, and everyone hurriedly shut down. We were all open before, but because of this info from the shipping company, we panicked and closed,” Ina told CNBC Indonesia.

She hopes that the government does not target small traders who are unaware of the origin of the imported goods they sell. “The raids should be aimed at the shipping companies and importers, not us. We are just retail traders. Don’t target us. We’re all pulling down our rolling doors, panicking and scared,” she continued.

According to the traders, this panic has been occurring for the past three days.

“It’s been like this for three days now. We just open and close like this. Open in the morning, and by noon, we are closed,” Ina said.

But is this raid really being conducted by the government?

Director General of Consumer Protection and Trade Order (PKTN) at the Ministry of Trade, Moga Simatupang, questioned the validity of the raids. He explained that the formation of the Illegal Import Task Force is still in the harmonization stage with relevant ministries and agencies.

“The Task Force will operate according to the decree signed by the minister. Currently, the assignment decree for the Task Force on illegal import surveillance is still being discussed by the relevant ministries and agencies,” said Moga, as quoted on Thursday (July 18, 2024).

“It is clear that the minister has not yet signed the assignment decree for the Task Force. And the Task Force can only operate once the decree is signed,” he added.

Moga advised traders to be critical if a raid does occur at Tanah Abang Market. “Traders have the right to ask who is conducting the raid and from where?” he emphasized.

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