Purbaya Reveals Cigarette Excise Doesn't Increase, Retail Selling Price Increases Also Don't Exist

Minister of Finance Purbaya Yudhi Sadive emphasized that cigarette excise rates have not increased, and until now there has been no discussion regarding policies to increase retail selling prices (HJE).

"(The increase in retail selling prices) there is no such policy, I don't know," he told the media crew, on Customs Day 79th, Monday, October 13.

Purbaya considered that the policy of raising HJE was not the right step and there should have been no need for an increase.

"You shouldn't have to, if you don't deceive me. You think I'm a kipul. It doesn't go up, but the price is the same," he explained.

He also highlighted the potential negative impact if the price difference between legal and illegal cigarettes widens and can actually encourage the circulation of illegal products in the market.

"The solution between legal and illegal products is getting bigger. If it gets bigger, it will encourage illegal goods. Until now I have not thought about increasing it. I just think so," he said.

Regarding the implementation of the excise increase for Packaging Sweetened Drinks (MBDK) next year, Purbaya stated that this was still under consideration. "We'll see," he said.