Legal Experts Reveal Gacor Scheme And Regulatory Challenges Behind Grab And GoTo Merger Plans

Waiting for the merger of Goto and Grab. (IST)

The discourse on the merger of Grab and GoTo continues to be in the public spotlight. Not only national media, the Financial Times also highlighted the potential for the merger of the two Southeast Asian tech giants. The London-based media noted that if a merger occurs, the new entity can control up to 90 percent of Indonesia's ride-hailing market, making it the dominant player in the region.

Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi opened the opportunity for the unification of Grab and GoTo by involving the Anagata Nusantara Power Investment Management Agency (BPI Danantara) to consolidate their strategic assets. This process is also related to the discussion of the Presidential Decree regarding the protection and tariff setting of online motorcycle taxi partners (ojol).

Legal Expert: Market Domination And Protection Of Gig Workers Must Be Anticipated

Legal expert Lita Paromita Siregar, SH, LL.M., M.Kn, assesses that the merger of these two large companies will bring significant regulatory challenges, especially regarding the protection of gig workers such as online motorcycle taxi drivers who are the backbone of operations.

If this merger does happen, the government must ensure that monopolistic practices or excessive market dominance are not born. Consolidation of these two giants should not create new inequality, but must strengthen a digital ecosystem that is fair and sustainable," said the graduate of the Faculty of Law Newcastle University through a written statement, Saturday (15/11/2025).

Lita added that Grab and GoTo algorithms should be of primary concern. Without transparency of the algorithm, she is concerned that the inequality in order distribution and driver income will emerge.

Ojol drivers are often trapped in the uncertainty of their partner status or worker. This makes it difficult for them to get proper social security," said the Managing Partner of BP Lawyers Couharuss at Law (BPL).

He reminded the government not to rush to issue new regulations given the huge social impact on millions of driver-partners.

Potential Market Monopoly

If the Grab 'GoTo merger is realized, the consolidation of the two is estimated to control around 91 percent of the national ride-hailing market. This condition is in direct contact with Law no. 5 of 1999 concerning the prohibition of monopoly practices and unfair business competition.

The dominance has the potential to put pressure on other players such as Maxim and InDrive, which can have an impact on:

Lita emphasized the KPPU's crucial role to ensure that the merger does not create a free 'single mass' determining market prices and rules. Tight supervision and transparency must be carried out in parallel to maintain a competitive ecosystem.

The merger of Grab and GoTo also raises concerns over data security and digital sovereignty, given that both handle data on tens of millions of users. Too large concentration of data has the potential to increase the risk of leakage or access by foreign jurisdictions, especially when some servers and technology activity are overseas.

Lita assessed that the government must ensure that user data is maintained according to national security standards, including through the monitoring mechanism and role of BPI Danantara.

Regulations must lead to a win-win model. Companies can still thrive, but user data protection should be a top priority," he said.

Fair Regulations For Online Ojek Drivers

Lita emphasized that this major change must be accompanied by comprehensive regulations that provide legal certainty for drivers, including:

The planned merger of Grab and GoTo has the potential to change the landscape of the digital economy of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. However, the government bears a big responsibility to ensure this process does not create a new monopoly and continues to provide justice for the millions of drivers working in the online transportation ecosystem.