Who protects consumers?<\/p>\n
It is interesting to note recent statements by Indah
\nSuksmaninghsih, chairwoman of Indonesian Consumers Foundation.
\nShe revealed that a Jakarta District Court had favored a gas
\nstation in a legal dispute with an individual consumer, who had
\naccused the station of operating inaccurate pumps. \"The court
\nfound the consumers did not have enough evidence, and the gas
\nstation (owner) filed a Rp 70 billion lawsuit against the
\nconsumer for defamation,\" she said, suggesting that disgruntled
\nconsumers should instead file class action lawsuits against
\nperfidious gas stations.<\/p>\n
While reports about deceitful gas stations continue,
\nIndah's suggestion strongly reflects consumers' weak bargaining
\nposition.<\/p>\n
By comparison, in the U.S., with an original receipt in hand,
\nbuyers can return goods they have bought days or even weeks after
\npurchase in the event they find the goods to be unsatisfactory.<\/p>\n
Further questions then loom. Who really defends people from
\nbeing cheated by misleading advertisements? Who protects city bus
\npassengers from accidents caused by careless drivers?<\/p>\n
What will parents do if their children cut their fingers
\nbecause the toys they have just bought have sharp ends? Will they
\ncomplain about the incident?<\/p>\n
What will consumers do upon finding that the tap water
\ndistributed by the City Tap Water Company (PAM Jaya) is turbid?<\/p>\n
Most likely, the parents and the tap water consumers will only
\nsend letter of complaint to newspapers, who will dutifully
\npublish them in letters columns.<\/p>\n
The illustrations above clearly indicate that many people are
\nnot that aware of their rights as consumers, and if they are,
\nthey do not know how to use them.<\/p>\n
So far, in case of disputes with businesses, consumers here
\nhave been very dependent on the Indonesian Consumers Foundation
\n(YLKI), but only few are informed about how to get YLKI's
\nassistance.<\/p>\n
While YLKI is very popular, the National Body for Consumer
\nProtection has yet to be established. According to Law No. 8\/1999
\nthe body will be formed to promote the importance of consumer
\nprotection.<\/p>\n
Regrettably, the law signed by then President B.J. Habibie six
\nyears ago, has been not been actively made known to the public.
\nIf enforced properly, the law would certainly be effective in
\npromoting consumer protection and encouraging consumers to stand
\nup for their rights.<\/p>\n
Paragraphs (a) of Article 3 of the law states that consumer
\nprotection is aimed at increasing consumer awareness, and their
\nability to promote self protection. While Paragraph (c) says that
\nconsumer protection means empowering consumers in selecting and
\ndeciding (to purchase goods and use services) and in defending
\ntheir rights.<\/p>\n
On punishments for dishonest businesses, Article 8 of the law
\nrules that people are prohibited from selling goods that are not
\nof the same quantity and quality as promised, and Article 62 says
\nthat violators are subject to five-year imprisonment or a Rp 2
\nbillion fine.<\/p>\n
So, there must be something terribly wrong in the enforcement
\nof consumer protection law in this country. Given this, the
\ngovernment must be aware that issuing laws without serious
\nenforcement is meaningless.<\/p>\n
As the sole non-governmental organization dealing with
\nconsumer protection, YLKI has practically been at the front line
\nin defense of consumers and in promoting consumers' rights among
\nthe public.<\/p>\n
YLKI has possibly become somewhat overburdened. But expecting
\nthe government to be vigorous in protecting consumers is
\npointless. Therefore, it is recommended that YLKI review its role
\nand make the existing cooperation with the press and other
\nrelevant institutions even more vigorous.<\/p>\n
Continuous and steady campaigns on television would probably
\nbe a effective way to remind the public (consumers) of their
\nrights and to \"take up arms\" against delinquent businesses.<\/p>\n
However, consumer protection is actually not only in the hands
\nof the government or YLKI. It is the public, the consumers alone,
\nwho must empower themselves. Consumers must be more persistent
\nand tougher in fighting for their rights as guaranteed by the Law
\nNo. 8\/1999.<\/p>\n
People should also start thinking about the establishment of
\nother similar non-government organizations if YLKI is proven to
\nbe overburdened in defending consumers.<\/p>\n
If law enforcement is limp - as it is in many cases -
\nthen consumers should unite to fight for their rights through
\nclass actions against delinquent businesses. If consumers are
\nunwilling to do something for their own protection, then who else
\nwill protect them?<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/who-protects-consumers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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