Indonesia’s Quarantine Agency Urged to Modernize systems to Safeguard National Health and Trade
Jakarta, Indonesia – In a bid to bolster the nation’s defenses against diseases and contaminated goods, Coordinating Minister for Food zulkifli Hasan has called for important upgrades to the Indonesian quarantine Agency (Barantin). During the National Working Meeting of Barantin in Jakarta,Hasan emphasized the need to enhance human resources,revitalize laboratories,and leverage advanced information technology systems to strengthen indonesia’s quarantine capacity.
“Note that the Barantin stands at the forefront, tasked with ensuring the safety of inbound products and also of those we export,” Hasan remarked, highlighting the agency’s critical role in protecting the nation’s health and trade interests.
The minister’s directives come as Barantin faces increasing challenges in safeguarding Indonesia from infectious diseases and the entry of spoiled or contaminated goods, including livestock, fish, and agricultural products.Hasan stressed the importance of developing robust IT systems to streamline pre-border, border, and post-border quarantine measures.
Explaining the pre-border concept, Hasan cited an example: “As a notable example, when China intends to import durians from Thailand, its authorities will immediately deal with quarantine measures in the exporting country, ensuring that there will be no problems once the goods arrive. This approach requires an IT system.”
These measures are not only aimed at protecting public health but also at supporting Indonesia’s mission for food self-sufficiency. By preventing the entry of harmful commodities, Barantin plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and quality of both imported and exported goods.Earlier, on December 18, 2024, Barantin Head Sahat Panggabean reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to safeguarding Indonesia’s sovereignty. “We have lodged complaints with neighboring countries that attempted to send animals, fish, or crops that do not meet requirements,” Panggabean stated, underscoring the agency’s proactive efforts in 2024 to reject potentially harmful shipments.
To better understand the scope of Barantin’s responsibilities and the proposed upgrades, here’s a summary of key points:
| Key Focus Areas | Details |
|———————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Human Resources | Improve the quality and expertise of Barantin personnel.|
| Laboratory Revitalization | Upgrade facilities to enhance testing and inspection capabilities. |
| IT Systems Progress | Implement advanced systems for pre-border, border, and post-border measures.|
| Pre-Border Quarantine | Inspect commodities in their country of origin to streamline processes. |
| Food Self-Sufficiency | Protect domestic agriculture and livestock from infectious diseases. |
As Indonesia continues to navigate the complexities of global trade and public health, the modernization of Barantin’s systems is seen as a crucial step forward. For more insights into Barantin’s efforts, explore how the agency ensures the safety of imported Australian cattle and its focus on revitalizing test labs.
With these upgrades, Barantin aims to not only protect Indonesia’s borders but also contribute to the nation’s broader goals of food security and economic resilience.
