Member of Commission XI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Fathi, has called for a review of import regulations for raw materials used in the textile and textile product (TPT) industry, particularly concerning Customs' surveillance classifications. This statement was made during a working visit by Commission XI to PT Budi Agung Sentosa in Rancaekek, Bandung Regency, West Java, on Friday, May 16. Fathi emphasized that despite many textile factories continuing to operate successfully, some misconceptions remain — notably, the belief that illegal imports are the main cause of factory closures, when in fact, outdated technology and poor business strategies are more to blame.
Fathi, a Democratic Party legislator from West Java I, stressed that inefficiencies in production, such as the use of aging machinery — are key challenges facing the industry. He also highlighted concerns from industry players regarding the Customs classification of imported raw materials, particularly polyester, which is still predominantly sourced from abroad. Fathi argued that labeling these essential materials as high-risk (“red category”) increases costs and delays production. He urged Customs to reevaluate these policies to better support the growth and competitiveness of the national textile industry, underscoring the need for more adaptive and business-friendly regulations.
