Indonesia Highlights: Uproar Over National Alcohol Ban Draft Bill | Tesla Factory in Indonesia Coming Soon? | Consumer Safety Must Be Improved

KOMPAS.com – Indonesia's daily Covid-19 infection numbers broke the record on Friday as the government reported 5,444 new infections.

Indonesia’s previous Covid-19 record on daily new infections was on October 8 with 4,850 people.

As such, the country currently has a national caseload of 457,735 Covid-19 cases since the virus was first reported on March 2.

In other news, the Indonesian government is aiming to realize the remaining State Budget of Rp 1.200 trillion before the end of 2020.

Centre of Reform on Economics Research Director Piter said that should the Indonesian government realize close to 100 percent of the State Budget, the national economy is likely to remain in the red.

Previously, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani expressed hope that the national economy would continue improving in the fourth quarter by realizing the budget for the National Economic Recovery program.

A wrap-up of today’s Indonesia news is highlighted below:

AndreyCherkasov

1. Indonesia’s Alcohol Prohibition Draft Bill Back on the Discussion Table

Indonesia’s Alcohol Prohibition Draft Bill threatens citizens with a maximum 10-year jail sentence and a fine of up to Rp 1 billion if they are caught producing, bringing in, or distributing alcoholic drinks.

Residents caught consuming alcoholic beverages could face a maximum 2-year jail sentence and pay a fine of up to Rp 50 million.

Alcoholic drinks with ethanol content ranging from 1 percent to 55 percent, traditional alcoholic beverages, mixed alcoholic drinks, or concoctions will be banned should Indonesia's Alcohol Prohibition Draft Bill pass.

Indonesia’s Alcohol Prohibition Draft Bill has repeatedly been put on the back burner since it was first introduced in 2015.

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/11/13/08594161/ruu-larangan-minuman-beralkohol-masyarakat-yang-konsumsi-terancam-pidana 

Reuters

2. Tesla Expresses Interest in Building a Factory in Indonesia

The Ministry of Industry has confirmed reports of Tesla’s interest in establishing a battery production factory in Indonesia.

Tesla’s interest in Indonesia is welcome news for the government that has been pushing to advance the nickel industry’s downstream sector that would allow for the production of batteries for electric cars.

Tesla founder Elon Musk praised Indonesia as a nickel-producing country — a key raw component of batteries for electric vehicles.

Tesla joins Volkswagen and Hyundai which the country’s Ministry of Industry said has also shown interest in establishing a factory in Indonesia.

Source: https://otomotif.kompas.com/read/2020/11/13/070200115/kemenperin-buka-suara-tentang-rencana-tesla-buat-pabrik-di-indonesia 

Dok. Shutterstock/Sushiman

3. Trade Ministry Calls for Better Consumer Safety in Indonesia

Indonesia’s Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto called for better consumer safety in the country amid growing trends in online shopping.

The minister said that consumers have the right to security when shopping online.

Agus said the Indonesian government’s advocacy for consumer safety is reflected in  Government Law Number 80 Year 2019 concerning Trading Through Electronic Systems.

Indonesia’s Trade Ministry has also sought to empower consumers by educating them on their rights and obligations as shoppers.

Agus explained that while the ministry is committed to supporting the business community, industry players must strive to achieve consumer safety in Indonesia.

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/11/13/120500526/mendag--pesatnya-belanja-online-harus-dibarengi-perlindungan-konsumen