Heavy equipment smuggled into E. Kalimantan mining site

At least 42 units of heavy equipment operated at the coal-mining site of PT Berau Coal in East Kalimantan have been brought into the province from Kinibalu, Malaysia without proper procedures.

The local office of the ministry of industry and trade said that PT Mentari Bukit Makmur, a contractor of the coal mining company, which operated the heavy equipment, allegedly smuggled the equipment with the help of officials at the local customs office.

"Besides not having proper licenses, the contractor did not pay import duties to the local customs office," Agus Tomtomo, the head of the commission C of the province's legislative council. He called the local authroity to confiscate the heavy equipment or order the operator to pay the duties and to obtain permits for their operation.

The local customs office, however, denied any involvement in the smuggling of the heavy equioment into the province and asked the prosecution office and the police to investigate into the alleged smuggling activity. (*)