Luhut Proposes AI Integration for Indonesia’s Customs and Excise Operations

Rancak Media – JAKARTA — Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Chairman of the National Economic Council (DEN), has openly acknowledged the compelling possibility of artificial intelligence (AI) stepping in to manage customs and excise processes, potentially replacing human personnel currently employed by the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu).

Currently, the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (DJBC) under the Ministry of Finance is responsible for these critical services. Luhut underscored that AI’s capacity to transform and even displace human resources across all business sectors, including the intricate operations of customs and excise, is an undeniable trend that Indonesia must acknowledge and adapt to.

This forward-looking perspective gains further momentum with the government’s strategic initiative to centralize export management through PT Danantara Sumberdaya Indonesia (DSI). Set to be fully operational by June 1, 2026, all export documentation processes will transition to a streamlined single-window system managed by Danantara, thereby simplifying interactions that previously occurred directly between companies and importers. This centralization is expected to pave the way for a significant re-evaluation of traditional customs responsibilities.

“If later [Customs and Excise] isn’t necessary, then why use Customs and Excise? Or, if Customs and Excise still exists in its duties, but everything is AI-based—all AI-based—you too, should make AI your partner now,” Luhut stated emphatically to reporters. His remarks followed a seminar, which was also attended by the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO), held at the DEN office in Jakarta on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Luhut elaborated that AI’s burgeoning influence globally is already instigating a profound reorganization across various sectors, including education. This critical issue formed a central theme of his address at the seminar, emphasizing the broad impact of AI on national development and human capital.

The former Chief of Staff to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) during his seventh term highlighted Indonesia’s proactive steps towards optimizing AI utilization. This ambitious digital transformation journey begins with the ongoing digitization of government systems, known as government technology (GovTech), which is currently undergoing a pilot phase in Banyuwangi, East Java. This initiative is designed to lay the groundwork for a more efficient and AI-integrated public sector.

Even before the conceptualization of DSI, Luhut pointed out that comprehensive export and import supervision had already been centralized and integrated through the sophisticated Indonesia National Single Window System (SINSW), also managed under the Ministry of Finance. This robust framework has long been instrumental in enhancing oversight and facilitating trade.

Specifically for Indonesia’s priority mineral exports, a key area of focus for DSI, oversight has been meticulously managed via the Mineral and Coal Information System (Simbara). This specialized system is seamlessly connected to the overarching SINSW, which is expertly operated by the National Single Window Agency (LNSW), ensuring a cohesive and transparent trade environment.

Luhut concluded by underscoring the formidable efficiency and integrity embedded within these centralized systems. “So, when you want to export, it’s immediately checked by this [National Single] Window; everything is quickly integrated. Oh, if royalties haven’t been paid, it simply won’t proceed,” he explained, emphasizing the system’s imperviousness to undue influence. “It cannot be compromised or influenced by anyone, whether military, police, or any individual; they cannot affect this system.”