Rahardi says rehash consumer rights bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan
\nsaid on Monday that the government could technically accept the
\ndraft law on consumers' rights proposed by the House of
\nRepresentatives, but he called for some changes in its contents
\nand format to make it acceptable to the public.<\/p>\n
\"The bill is in tune with the government's view that the
\ncountry needs to have a law which protects consumers. However,
\nthe bill still needs some adjustments,\" Rahardi said during a
\nHouse of Representatives' plenary session.<\/p>\n
Rahardi said the bill had some points that overlapped with
\nother laws.<\/p>\n
\"For instance, the bill also mentions environmental
\nprotection. The chapter regarding this can be dropped due to the
\nfact the issue is addressed in the Environmental Law,\" Rahardi
\nwas quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
He also said the bill had some chapters which could be
\ncombined to make it simpler and more concise.<\/p>\n
Rahardi proposed that chapters on unlawful actions be combined
\nin one chapter which forbids entrepreneurs to produce and trade
\nin damaged and contaminated products or promote and advertise
\nthem.<\/p>\n
Commenting on class action against unruly producers which
\nwould be possible if the bill is passed into law, Rahardi said:
\n\"In our opinion, there has to be a regulation for that and it has
\nto be conducted under a better procedure, so that consumers can
\nchannel their aspirations in the proper way.\"<\/p>\n
The bill also calls for the establishment of an agency, the
\nCoordinating Body for Consumer Protection, which would watch over
\nthe implementation of the law and determine national standards
\nfor product quality.<\/p>\n
Rahardi noted the functions of the body would overlap with
\nthose of the government.<\/p>\n
\"Therefore, we have to be careful in the plan of establishing
\nthe body. The establishment of the body would only add more
\ncomplexities to the existing bureaucracy,\" Rahardi said.<\/p>\n
However, Rahardi supported the bill's demand for the formation
\nof a special body which would help settle disputes between
\nconsumers and producers.<\/p>\n
\"The body should also be given the right to settle disputes
\nout of court,\" Rahardi said.<\/p>\n
But, Rahardi said, the government should retain the right to
\ncoordinate the efforts of protecting consumers against unruly
\nproducers.<\/p>\n
Analysts have voiced appreciation of the House's initiative in
\nproposing the law given the fact that most of the country's laws
\nwere made on the initiative of the government. (jsk)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rahardi-says-rehash-consumer-rights-bill-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}