House concerned over alcohol monopoly<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives members expressed
\nconcern yesterday over the appointment of PT Tebet Indraya as the
\nsole distributor of alcoholic drinks in the country.<\/p>\n
\"Allowing only one distributor could increase spirit prices
\nand result in the deteriorated quality of services to consumers,\"
\nsaid Lili Asdjudiredja, vice chairman of House Commission VI for
\nindustry, mining, manpower and investment.<\/p>\n
Lili, a Golkar representative, was commenting on a letter from
\nthe Indonesian Association of Hoteliers to the state-owned
\ncompany PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia -- the country's sole
\nimporter of alcoholic drinks which appointed Tebet Indraya to be
\nits sole distributor.<\/p>\n
In the letter, dated Sept. 13, the association stated, among
\nother things, its objection to the appointment of Tebet Indraya.<\/p>\n
Lili said that the monopoly will hurt the interests of the
\nassociation's members and could encourage the smuggling of
\nalcoholic drinks into the country.<\/p>\n
Rajawali Nusantara, a diversified business group, responded by
\nsaying that the appointment was made to help prevent smuggling.<\/p>\n
The company added that its decision to appoint Tebet Indraya
\nwas approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The ministry
\ngave its approval because, he said, the business of alcoholic
\ndrinks is complicated and hampered by illegal levies.<\/p>\n
\"The appointment can be reviewed next fiscal year,\" the
\nstatement said.<\/p>\n
However, commission deputy chairmen Budi Hardjono and Muchsin
\nBafadal, respectively from the Indonesian Democratic Party and
\nthe United Development Party, shared Lili's view, saying that
\nmonopolies in the country should be eradicated because they
\nresult in unhealthy competition and harm public interests. (13)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-concerned-over-alcohol-monopoly-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}