Heaptalk, Jakarta — PT Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex) Commissioner Iwan Setiawan viewed Trade Minister Regulation (Permendag) No. 8 of 2024 on import policies and regulations as disrupting the operations of the domestic textile industry.
Since its enactment on May 17, 2024, Indonesia has seen an influx of textile imports. “Permendag No. 8 is indeed visibly disrupting operations. Our colleagues in the textile industry are also affected,” Iwan said in Jakarta on Monday (10/28).
Iwan mentioned that many textile factories have closed down due to bankruptcy, leading to layoffs of more than 15,000 workers. Sritex itself, according to Iwan, has also fallen victim to Permendag 8/2024. “On Monday (10/21), the Semarang Commercial Court declared Sritex bankrupt. This is based on case ruling number 2/Pdt.Sus-Homologasi/2024/PN Niaga Smg, issued by Chief Judge Moch Ansor,” Iwan stated.
According to the Case Tracking Information System (SIPP) of the Semarang Commercial Court, the petitioner, who is a creditor, claimed that Sritex had defaulted on its payment obligations to the petitioner based on a Homologation Decision dated January 25, 2022.
Responding to Sritex’s concerns, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has long sought to have Permendag No. 8 revoked, advocating instead for using Permendag No. 36 to regulate import flows. “I think what Mr. Iwan said is accurate. This is a problem faced by the industry, particularly textiles. From the Ministry of Industry’s perspective, I want it to be revised. Ask the Ministry of Trade whether they will revise it,” Agus said.
He noted that manufacturers understand the problems created by the impacts of Permendag No. 8, stating, “For the textile industry, including Sritex, it’s not solely a financing issue or the declining export market.”
Agus added, “If the export market is down, the domestic market should be protected logically. When domestic industries can’t reach the global market due to weak demand, they must turn to the domestic market. Our primary concern here is employment.” Furthermore, Agus mentioned that the government, as President Prabowo Subianto emphasized, will help save Sritex and help it resume operations.
