JAKARTA - General Chairperson of the Indonesian Street Vendors Association (APKLI), dr. Ali Mahsun ATMO, M. Biomed., urged the 8th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, to revoke Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024. The regulation is considered to have threatened the survival of millions of Street Vendors (PKL) asongan and tarling (circular traders), especially those that depend on selling retail cigarettes.
While talking directly with Tarman, a street vendor who sells coffee around the Central Jakarta area, dr. Ali Mahsun digs into facts on the ground. "How much is the price of coffee, bro?" asked Ali. "Five thousand, sir," replied Tarman. When asked if selling cigarette packs, Tarman answered that he only sold retail. "The profit is greater, sir, and it becomes our main daily income," he said.
According to Tarman, the price of four JS retail cigarettes reached Rp. 10,000. This reflects that retail cigarette sales are the main source of income for street vendors like him.
Dr. Ali Mahsun said that the ban on selling retail cigarettes as stated in PP 28/2024 as a derivative of the Health Law Number 17 of 2023 has hit the informal sector hard. "PKL welcomes not only loss of turnover, but also loss of livelihood and decent living for his family," he said.
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Unfair And Discriminatory
More than 1 million street vendors and tarling spread throughout Indonesia. They struggle to make a halal living in order to support their families and send their children to school. According to dr. Ali Mahsun, they did not ask for mercy from the state, they just wanted to be allowed to sell cigarettes in retail.
"PP 28/2024 must be revoked because it contradicts the spirit of social justice and President Prabowo Subianto's populist vision. This rule not only limits the access of small communities to legal products, but also removes the source of livelihood for millions of small people," said dr. Ali, who also serves as Chairman of the Indonesian People's Economic Committee (KERIS).
In addition, he added that the ban is discriminatory to the lower middle class who are only able to buy cigarettes in retail.
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