P3M Jakarta Rejects PP 28 Of 2024: Threats To Indonesia's Tobacco Industry

Director of P3M Sarmidi Husna. (Doc P3M)

JAKARTA - The Jakarta Islamic Boarding School Development Association (P3M) expressed deep concern regarding the ratification of Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024 concerning the Implementation of the Health Law Number 17 of 2023, particularly regarding the Protection of Addictive Substances.

P3M considers that this PP has the potential to significantly damage the tobacco ecosystem in Indonesia. The Director of P3M, Sarmidi Husna, expressed his surprise over the government's decision to be considered reckless in passing the PP.

Sarmidi criticized the process of drafting PP 28 of 2024 which only involved pro-Ministry of Health parties, without the participation of various relevant stakeholders. He mentioned that there are still many articles in this PP that contradict the decision of the Constitutional Court which recognizes tobacco as a legal product. He considers this overrestrict regulatory approach similar to regulations on liquor, which could have a negative impact on the tobacco ecosystem in Indonesia.

PP 28 of 2024 is said to have the potential to harm economically and violate the rights of citizens' economics, social and cultural affairs (Ekosob), especially those involved in the tobacco industry. According to Sarmidi, the Ministry of Health failed to present a balance between public health and economic strengthening. The implementation of this PP is also considered to be at risk of causing social conflict between government officials and the community.

P3M, together with the civil society alliance, filed five demands against the government and the Ministry of Health. First, rejecting the ratification of PP 28 of 2024 and requesting immediate revision. Second, conducting a review of the impact of regulations by involving all stakeholders, including farmer associations, trade unions, and business actors.

Third, align the articles in the PP with legal decisions related to tobacco as legal products. And fourth, develop a monitoring and evaluation system to assess the effectiveness of tobacco control policies in a sustainable manner.

As an advocacy measure, P3M plans to hold a public dialogue, submit a judicial review to the Supreme Court, draft an alternative academic paper, and request a fatwa from the pesantren caregiver regarding crucial articles in PP 28 of 2024. "We will continue to monitor developments and are ready to contribute constructively for fair, effective, and sustainable regulations," said Sarmidi Husna.