EXPORT of illegal tin is allegedly still happening in Indonesia. Although still far smaller than the portion of legal tin exports, business players predict illegally exported tin to 1,000-1,500 tons per year.

Chairman of the Indonesian Timah Exporters Association (AETI) Jabin Sufianto said Malaysia has been receiving tin sands from Indonesia. In fact, since 2007, the export of raw minerals has been banned.

"We also suspect that the export data from BPS is not the same as the data of tin recipient countries from us. They report receiving more. Malaysia is one that says it still receives tin sand from us, "said Jabin in Nusa Dua, Bali, Monday (19/9).

Besides Malaysia, Jabin discloses China is also the destination country for illegally exported tin from Indonesia. According to data coming to his side, there are 19.5 tons of tin that is exported illegally to the Bamboo Curtain Country in 2015. Although small, Jabin still regretted that happened.

"Small indeed, but that's what's being recorded. We do not know the unrecorded. This year's the most issues of leaks, but unfortunately I have no proof. This is what makes our export performance is not maximal, "he said.

The mode commonly used by illegal exporters is usually through inter-island smuggling. Exports are considered easier when done in areas or islands that are not tin producers.

According to BPS data, tin export volume in 2015 reached 70,310 tons or decreased 5.2% from 2014. Meanwhile, during January-June 2016, tin exports amounted to 29,652 tons, down 24.6% from the same period last year amounted to 39,359 tons . (X-14)

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