Indonesia Plans Rewards for Navy, Maritime Patrol in Stopping Smuggling

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – The Indonesian government plans to provide performance allowances for the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) and the Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) personnel who manage to foil smuggling attempts at sea, a senior minister said on Thursday, September 24.

“We are preparing [a document] for the Ministry of Finance to approve,” Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in a joint virtual press conference with the National Logistics Ecosystem.

“All personnel who are involved in [the operations] of the Indonesian Navy and the Bakamla, detaining smugglers should be given performance allowances,” Luhut said.

Also read: Indonesian Maritime Forces Intercept China Coast Guard Vessel in Natuna Sea

He said the incentives are important as a way to fend off bribery, which can occur while teams  conduct security patrols to stop illegal activity.

The former member of the Army’s Special Forces (Kopassus) expressed hope that the performance allowances will be distributed within this year while the operations are under way.

The performance allowance proposal will be submitted to the Ministry of Finance, he said, adding he hoped that the ministry could give its response soon.

(Writer: Ade Miranti Karunia | Editor: Yoga Sukmana)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/09/24/183000926/luhut-minta-anggota-tni-dan-bakamla-yang-tangkap-penyelundup-diberi-tunjangan.