The IPhone 16 Investment Proposal Is Not Yet Available, Minister Of Industry Agus: The Loss Is In Apple

Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. (Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - A leading technology company from America, Apple Inc, has yet to submit their investment plan proposal to the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin). Thus, the iPhone 16 still cannot be sold in Indonesia.

Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita again emphasized the firm position of the Indonesian government regarding the obligations of US companies in Indonesia.

Recently, the Ministry of Industry revealed that Apple's investment plan, which is reported to be up to 1 billion US dollars or equivalent to Rp. 16 trillion, was only a discourse that was reported through WhatsApp messages.

Until now, no representative from Apple has met directly with the Indonesian government to discuss the commitment and details of the investment plan.

Agus emphasized that the government is still waiting for evidence of Apple's seriousness in investing in Indonesia. According to Agus, Apple's protracted response only harmed the electronics company led by Tim Cook.

"If Apple continues to provide proposals that we can accept, the harm will be with Apple, not with us," said Agus at the Ministry of Industry office, Jakarta, Friday, January 3.

It is known, Apple has expressed its willingness to send high-level representatives to Indonesia to discuss the potential for strategic cooperation. The negotiation agenda, said Agu, will be carried out at the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Investment.

"What I can share is the development of Apple and can be ascertained in accordance with our request, Apple will choose its high-level official to negotiate with the Ministry of Industry," said Agus.

"They will come with an agenda for negotiations with us here and also the Office of the Ministry of Investment. But, I think it proves that the strategy taken by the government, God willing, will produce results," he continued.

He stressed that the government will continue to maintain a balance between Apple's interests as investors and greater national interests.

"How to find common ground, it is an art in itself from negotiations. We will always prioritize the interests of the nation and state, especially in creating jobs for the community," he said.

In addition to the investment plan, Apple still has to complete investment debt commitments of 10 million US dollars in the 2020-2023 cycle. In the future, Apple has two options, namely following the 1st scheme of TKDN calculations, namely building production facilities in the form of factories in Indonesia with negotiations through the Minister of Investment.

Second, following the 3rd scheme, namely an innovation scheme, with a note that you must submit a proposal every 3 years (3 years cycle) with negotiations through the Minister of Industry.

The Indonesian government has coordinated with other mobile phone, handheld computer and tablet (HKT) manufacturers regarding the plan to increase the value of TKDN from 35 percent to 40 percent.

"And this is on going process," he said.

In the negotiations later, Agus said, Apple will definitely prioritize its interests, while the Indonesian government will prioritize national interests through manufacturing development in Indonesia.