Heaptalk, Jakarta — Indonesia’s Government Regulation (PP) No. 28 of 2024 on the Implementation of Law No. 17 of 2023 on Health has been met with strong opposition from business players, particularly market traders and food and beverage manufacturers.
According to the Chairman of the Indonesian People’s Market Association (APARSI), APARSI specifically rejects Article 434 of the regulation, which includes a ban on selling tobacco products within a 200-meter radius of educational institutions and children’s playgrounds. Suhendro emphasized that this regulation would severely impact small businesses.
“Our people’s economy has performed a significant hit. We have faced the pandemic, and the economy remains unstable. We strongly hope the new government will listen to our concerns and review this regulation,” Suhendro conveyed.
He questioned whether the regulation’s primary goal, reducing tobacco consumption among minors, would be effectively achieved. Meanwhile, the regulation adds new burdens on small traders, leading him to believe the rule requires more thoughtful consideration.
Furthermore, Suhendro noted that the voices and aspirations of market traders and small shop owners were not adequately considered during the drafting of PP 28/2024. APARSI had submitted a request to remove the 200-meter ban on tobacco sales from the draft health regulation, but the request was not accommodated.
“Given this background, APARSI firmly commits to rejecting PP 28/2024 to protect the sustainability of its members’ businesses and the people’s economy at large,” he said.
From the perspective of food industry players, the Chairman of the Indonesian Food and Beverage Manufacturers Association (GAPMMI), Adhi S. Lukman, expressed concern that PP No. 28/2024 seems to treat sugar as a prohibited substance. He pointed out that sugar is vital for the human body, especially during growth.
The food and beverage industry has made efforts to reformulate products by reducing sugar content. However, a new issue arises when consumers add sugar themselves to these products.
“Even though we’ve reduced the sugar content in our products, consumers end up adding sugar themselves at home, especially to the sugar-free drinks we sell,” Adhi concluded.
