APRINDO Demands Legal Certainty for DKI KTR Ranperda, the Value of the Prohibition of Smoking Cigarettes Press Retail Legal

Illustration-(DOK ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (APRINDO) asked the DPRD and the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government to provide legal certainty for business actors following the discussion of the DKI Jakarta Non-Smoking Area Regulation Draft (Raperda KTR) which has entered the Plenary Meeting.

The DKI Jakarta KTR RaPerda has previously obtained a recommendation from the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri) through the facilitation process. The recommendation is a part that must be obeyed in the technical improvement of the preparation of regional regulations.

APRINDO Deputy Chairman Jhon Ferry Sigumonrong emphasized that what business actors most needed was legal certainty so that the rules set could be clearly implemented in the field.

"For us as business actors, what is important is certainty. Legal certainty, so that it can then be implemented. When a regulation such as the DKI Jakarta KTR Ranperda cannot be implemented, it will have a negative impact on legal cigarettes," said Jhon to reporters, Wednesday, January 21.

APRINDO assessed that the substance of the DKI Jakarta KTR Regulation still focuses too much on the prohibition aspect. A number of points such as a ban on sales, a ban on layoffs, and restrictions on advertising, promotions, and sponsorship are considered potentially suppressing the sustainability of legal retail businesses.

According to APRINDO, the prohibition-based approach does not necessarily reduce the prevalence of smokers. The retail employers' organization assessed that control efforts should be directed more towards the aspects of education and age restrictions on access.

"The most important thing is how we make an educational strategy so that those who can access cigarettes are those who are 21 years old and above. Not by covering up the products sold. This is beyond logic. APRINDO supports the government in reducing the prevalence of smoking, but when prohibiting the display of legal products, this will have an impact on the sustainability of retail businesses," said Jhon.

APRINDO currently oversees around 150 member companies that manage approximately 45,000 retail outlets throughout Indonesia. The network includes various business formats, ranging from minimarkets to shopping centers, so that regional policies are considered to have a direct impact on member operations.

In the midst of an economic condition that is still considered difficult, APRINDO assesses that the business world actually needs protection and empowerment. The existence of regulations that are repressive is feared to add to the burden of retail business actors.

In addition, APRINDO also highlighted the potential for the circulation of illegal cigarettes if the ban on the use of legal cigarette products is strictly enforced. According to them, legal products should be treated legally and openly.

"It should not be covered up, there is no ban on displaying. This cigarette is a legal product, yes, treat it legally. It should be clear. Well, here we see that business actors have not seen the legal certainty," said Jhon.

APRINDO hopes that the local government can be fair and balanced in formulating and implementing the DKI Jakarta KTR Ranperda, considering that the retail sector is directly related to economic turnover and employment absorption.

"So, of course, we want it to be regulated by the government, treated equally. Don't let the existing regulations actually harm. APRINDO is committed not to sell illegal products, without taxes. Therefore, we strongly support the steps taken by the Minister of Finance, Mr. Purbaya, to eradicate illegal cigarettes that provide fairness to business actors," he concluded.