Trade Minister (Minister),
Rahmat Gobel, said he did not hesitate, but act decisively against import and
export licenses that do not follow the rules. So, the minister could argue with
his subordinate, the Director General of Foreign Trade, Partogi Pangaribuan,
about the revocation of 2,166 operating licenses of Registered Importers (IT)
for a particular product. “The Director General of foreign Trade still managed
to hold back the revocation. But I said “Do not hesitate. We issue a license,
but they did not implement it. The government does not want any repeat
occurrences. We want to know who works seriously, and who does not,” the
minister told Business News (December 15).
2,166 IT is part of total of 5,017 IT. The importers are
not disciplined in implementing obligations as mandated by the regulation of
trade minister number three. Importers did not report periodically. Circulation
of imported products did not report periodically. Circulation of imported
products did not meet national standards. The consequence of the revocation of
IT is that importer data cannot be accessed to input data at the Ministry of
Trade. “The system has been locked, and it includes administrative penalties
for not being disciplined.”
IT revocation cannot be separated from public complaints.
On the other hand, the government is also looking at the trends of demand of
gadgets, including mobile phones and smartphones, in the country. But the
Indonesian national industry has not been able to open a factory for IT
products. So, the domestic market is still relying on imports. “More imports,
more illegal products. We discipline it, because it distorts our foreign
exchange.
Meanwhile, Director General of Standardization and
Consumer Protection (SPK) determined the deadline of the circulation of some
children’s products without SNI (Indonesian National Standard) until December
20,2014. The deadline is a respite of two months, as it was decided in October
this year. “Since the time of our unannounced inspection (sidak) on December 10
in Gembrong Market (East Jakarta), there are still many shops, including SMEs
(small and medium industries) who sold these products,” Widodo told Business
News (December 15).
At the time of the unannounced inspection, the officer
had confirmed to the shopkeeper or retailer. The officer asked where they
received a supply of goods. The officer felt the need to check who the
manufacturer or importer is not easy. Because of the officer found various
types of children’s toys circulating in the market, including in Gembrong
market. “We need time to deal with it if we want good results.”
SNI marking of children’s products have first gone
through a laboratory testing process. Standardization is based on a reference
from the Ministry of Trade, relevant ministries, and the National
Standardization Agency (BSN). But the officer found several products without
SNI which is mostly made of plastic material. “It is indicated that there is
Phtalate content. It can cause cancer to consumers, i.e. children.”
Consumer protection, including children in Indonesia, has
come a concern of the government, including the Ministry of Trade. As a result
of the spread of hazardous and toxic materials (B3) on toy products, it will
weaken the strength of the Indonesian nation. The strength of a nation begins
with the immune system of the children. “Rahmat Gobel also warned about this.
Supervision, even action on the circulation of toys, should continue to be our
concern.”
Businesses, whether importers, manufacturers or
retailers, should not escape this responsibility. The health of children will
be a major problem for the future of the Indonesian nation. So, in addition to
the implementation of the Consumer Protection Act No. 8/1999, the officers in
the field refer to regulation of the Minister of Trade. “If they are still
selling these products after December 20, we will seal their shops. We have
also been coordinating with the Provincial Agency of Cooperatives, Industry,
and Trade. Because the government has maximally facilitated them, including
SMEs. The Ministry of Industry has given IDR 5 billion assistance for the
certification program, especially SMEs.”
The
Ministry of Trade also urged housewives, especially those who have small
children, to increase alertness. Mothers, in general, are always trying to
please their children. Sometimes they granted the request of their children. In
fact, a toy is attractive because of the color of the paint that actually
contains B3 materials. “We appeal to parents not to buy products that did not
bear SNI mark. We also urged traders, importers, manufacturers, and retailers
to be responsible for their products. They should help build the health of the
Indonesian children.” (E)
Business News - December 17, 2015
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