Minister of Industry Agus: RI is embarrassed to protect the industry, the strength of the import mafia is extraordinary

Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita assessed that Indonesia is still shy in protecting domestic industries. He regretted this, especially as many countries continue to compete to protect their industries.

English:

According to Agus, this condition occurs due to the intervention of the import mafia. Agus said that this is a challenge for all parties in protecting the Indonesian industry.

English:

"Indonesia is embarrassed, it seems embarrassed to protect the industry in its country. This, of course, is very unfortunate. All the countries that we consider the most open, liberal countries, actually protect them. We, why are we embarrassed to protect? I don't know why. But, roughly every night I sleep I think why? I think the power of the import mafia is extraordinary. It is a challenge for us," said Agus in Business Matching 2025 as seen on the YouTube of the Ministry of Industry of Indonesia, Monday, December 15.

English:

Agus explained that many countries protect their industries with various policies such as through the imposition of tariffs. According to him, this is what Indonesia should do.

English:

One of the protection policies carried out by Indonesia is through the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) policy. Agus said, the TKDN policy is quite ideal because it does not violate world trade rules, but protects workers and absorbs workers in Indonesia.

English:

English:

"This TKDN is a subtle, beautiful effort, carried out by the government. He does not violate international regulations such as the WTO. He protects the domestic industry and in turn manages to protect the workforce and also print new workforce in the country," said Agus.

English:

The TKDN rules are listed in the Minister of Industry Regulation (Permenperin) Number 35 of 2025 concerning the Rules of TKDN Certification Procedures and the Weight of Company Benefits. Until December 2025, a total of 88,872 products have been certified with TKDN involving around 15,900 industrial companies.