Alcohol Industry Investment Permit, DPR Questions Mental Revolution

Photo illustration (Colton Sturgeon / Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The government's policy to open investment permits for the liquor industry has drawn criticism. The government said that the policy set out in Presidential Decree No. 10 of 2021 was aimed at increasing investment competitiveness and encouraging priority business fields.

Member of Commission I DPR RI Syarief Hasan regretted the government policy that allowed the alcoholic industry to be sold openly because it had the potential to cause many new problems in society, both social, cultural and health.

Moreover, he said, in the new regulation, one of the four classifications of alcohol that are included in the list of business fields with certain conditions is street retail. He is worried that the free circulation of alcohol or alcohol will have a dangerous impact on society.

"It has damaged the character of the nation. The government, which has been aggressively promoting a mental revolution, has instead taken a policy that contradicts this movement," said Syarief Hasan in his statement to VOI, Saturday, February 27.

The Deputy Chairman of the MPR RI even said that Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution as state guidelines are no longer used as guidelines for the government in making policies.

"With the presence of this policy, we are like a nation that has lost direction and grip in managing a country that is full of noble values. And Pancasila is the One Godhead," regretted Syarief.

Therefore, this Democrat Party High Council member urged the Government to review the Presidential Decree Number 10 of 2021. Particularly in the alcohol industry, so that it can be used as a closed business again, as the previous rule.

"The government must consider the noble values and character of the nation and the practice of Pancasila above pseudo economic considerations," said the West Java electoral legislator.

It is known that the government has approved the liquor industry as a positive investment list (DPI) since this year. Previously, the liquor industry was known to fall into the closed business sector category.

The ratification is based on Presidential Regulation (Perpres) Number 10 of 2021 concerning the Investment Business Field. The regulation which is a derivative rule of Law (UU) Number 11 of 2020 concerning Job Creation has been signed by President Joko Widodo and comes into effect as of February 2, 2021.

However, the approval to invest in this industry constitutes a new investment. This investment can only be made in the Province of Bali, Province of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Province of North Sulawesi, and Province of Papua by paying attention to local culture and wisdom.