KTR Raperda Still Discussed, DKI Provincial Government Promises To Protect MSME Interests

JAKARTA - The DKI Jakarta Provincial Government has confirmed that the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) for Non-Smoking Areas (KTR) which is being discussed with the DKI DPRD will not close space for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

Currently, the preparation of the KTR Raperda is still ongoing with the discussion of articles per article and has not reached the final stage to be ratified.

Head of the DKI Jakarta Health Office Ani Ruspitawati said the local government would adjust a number of articles in the Raperda according to the direction of the Governor of DKI Jakarta, Pramono Anung, to continue to side with small business groups without ignoring the main objectives of protecting public health.

"KTR is still discussing and we will pay attention to the direction from the Governor so that this KTR Regional Regulation continues to provide space for MSME groups, especially. That is our note regarding the articles in the KTR Regional Regulation," Ani told reporters, Tuesday, October 14.

Ani admitted that the polemic arose because of the concerns of traders about articles that were considered to limit the selling activities of cigarette products around certain areas.

However, the Health Office ensures that the government continues to prioritize a balance approach between health interests and the economic sustainability of small communities.

"Indeed, health really pays attention to aspects of health interests because we see young smokers in Jakarta getting higher. That is our concern. But according to your direction (Governor), there will be relaxation of articles related to MSME groups," he explained.

Several articles that originally set the zoning distance for cigarette sales up to 200 meters from educational facilities and places of worship, are still being reviewed. According to Ani, these points will be discussed again in a meeting with the Special Committee (Pansus) of the DKI Jakarta DPRD.

"It has not been decided at the Special Committee, we have discussed it earlier. But later we will wait for the agenda of the next meeting. There are some that we will relax together with the Special Committee," he said.

Ani added that her party still has an agenda for discussing the finalization with the Special Committee before the Raperda enters the stage of the Regional Regulation Formation Agency (Bemperda). He hopes that this design can be completed by the end of the year.

"We propose yes, we will definitely hope that the regional regulation will be completed this year. But of course we will also continue to consider and listen to all available inputs. Which one will be the best later," added Ani.