A public report has caused a stir on social media: an employee of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise was reportedly relaxing at a Starbucks cafe during working hours.
The message eventually reached the top leadership, the Director General, who reacted firmly with the statement “I’ll fire them!”
Following the report’s release, many netizens shared screenshots, videos, or screen captures showing this unusual activity.
Public reactions varied: some supported the firm action, while others questioned the internal investigation procedures before the dismissal decision was announced.
Internal Report That Sparked Anger
According to an internal DJBC source who wished to remain anonymous, the report was initially submitted through bureaucratic complaint channels.
The employee hanging out at the coffee shop was considered to have violated work ethics by neglecting duties and working hours.
“The report mentioned the Starbucks visit occurred during core working hours, and this was assessed as a serious disciplinary violation,” said the source. After the report was received, notification was immediately sent to the top leadership at DJBC.
Firm Reaction from Leadership
The news triggered anger from the Finance Minister, who expressed objection to the lazy and unprofessional attitude of the employee in question. In his official statement, the Minister revealed that such actions tarnish the institution’s image.
“If an employee is caught hanging out during working hours while their duties are neglected, I emphasize: I’ll fire them immediately,” stated the Minister firmly. This statement raised questions from some members of the public: can dismissal actions be carried out directly without prior verification process?
Disciplinary Procedures and Legal Aspects
Administrative law experts stated that although leadership has the right to take action for disciplinary violations, every step must follow proper procedures. Immediate dismissal without internal audit, clarification, and defense could be vulnerable to being considered a violation of employee rights.
“Dismissal must be based on principles of administrative justice. Employees have the right to be given the opportunity to explain before severe sanctions are imposed,” said a constitutional law observer.
Ongoing Dialogue and Hope for Transparency
As the controversy emerged, many parties urged DJBC to conduct internal dialogue and transparent sanction processes. The public hopes that state institutions will maintain integrity and justice in disciplinary actions.
Although the Minister’s anger became the main focus, preventive measures such as work ethics socialization, routine performance audits, and firm internal supervision are considered important to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment has returned to public spotlight after speaking frankly about the financial condition of the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Rail (KCJB) project. In his statement, the Minister mentioned that the project’s financial problems have existed since the initial planning stage, even before the project fully began.
“The finances were indeed bad from the start,” stated the Minister in an interview session. This statement immediately attracted public attention and triggered widespread discussion about transparency and financial management of this national strategic project.
No State Budget Funds Used
The Minister emphasized that the government is not using funds from the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN) to cover the high-speed rail project’s debt. He stated that this project’s financing comes from a cooperation scheme between Indonesian state-owned enterprises and Chinese companies through commercial loans.
“No APBN funds are being used. This is a business project, not entirely a government project,” affirmed the Minister. He added that the government only plays a role in ensuring project sustainability and supervising to prevent fund misuse.
Root Problems Since Project’s Beginning
According to the Minister, the root of this project’s financial problems emerged since the initial planning stage. Many aspects were not calculated thoroughly, ranging from land acquisition costs, construction costs, to exchange rates affecting foreign debt.
“At that time, the calculations were unrealistic.
