Jakarta, Dec. 12 -- Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed that the Directorate General of Customs and Excise has begun showing improvements in performance after being warned of possible suspension amid mounting issues.

"We have set a one-year deadline to improve the Directorate General of Customs and Excise. After several weeks, we have seen encouraging progress, indicating that officials in the office are capable of improving-they just need some prodding," he remarked.

Addressing the media in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, on Friday, Purbaya clarified that his ministry has not coordinated with other institutions regarding a potential institutional suspension and staff furlough, which he stressed remains a warning rather than a...