Kemendag Opens Option for New Institutional Framework for Consumer Protection

The Ministry of Trade (“ Kemendag ”) is still in the process of reviewing the Draft Bill on Consumer Protection (“ Draft Bill ”). Together with the working committee (Panitia Kerja– “ Panja ”), the final draft still requires several discussions.

“The draft is not yet final; there are still several stages of discussion with the Panja on the Draft Bill. Please wait,” said Moga Simatupang, Director of Consumer Protection and Trade Order (Perlindungan Konsumen dan Tertib Niaga/PKTN) at Kemendag, in a statement to Hukumonline.

Moga emphasized that strengthening consumer protection institutions is a key focus in the deliberation of the Draft Bill. However, he noted that, so far, discussions have not yet addressed the future status of the National Consumer Protection Agency (Badan Perlindungan Konsumen Nasional– “ BPKN ”) and the Consumer Dispute Settlement Agency (Badan Penyelesaian Sengketa Konsumen– “ BPSK ”).

Nevertheless, Moga stated that the Ministry remains open to various institutional proposals, including the possible merger of BPKN and BPSK into a new body that would report directly to the President. “It is still open for discussion,” he said briefly.