YLKI chief welcomes new consumers bill<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Consumers Foundation (YLKI)
\nhailed the endorsement of the Consumers Bill by legislators and
\nurged the speedy issuance of government regulations to support
\nits implementation.<\/p>\n
Tini Hadad, the foundation chairwoman, said in a statement on
\nWednesday that \"after fighting (alone) for 18 years, the time has
\ncome for the YLKI to say 'welcome'\" to the bill endorsed on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
She stated the foundation expected the law to be enforced
\n\"with a spirit of reform\", to protect consumers who \"have been
\nsystematically oppressed in the political, legal, economic and
\ncultural spheres\".<\/p>\n
The law is an umbrella act which is greatly needed for the
\nprotection of some 200 million consumers, Tini said, adding that
\nwithout necessary regulations and the socialization of new terms
\ncontained in the law, the foundation \"feared the bill would only
\nbecome a 'toothless tiger'\".<\/p>\n
Cabinet vice secretary Erman Rajagukguk said on Wednesday that
\nPresident B.J. Habibie would ratify the bill soon.<\/p>\n
\"The draft of the bill has been stranded for years in the
\nState Secretariat,\" Rajagukguk said.<\/p>\n
Many bills were neglected during the New Order regime to
\nprotect the business interests of the Soeharto family, he added.<\/p>\n
The Consumer Bill guarantees the rights of consumers to obtain
\nsecurity and comfort when using or consuming products and
\nservices and the right to get honest information on products and
\nservices.<\/p>\n
Producers or traders who violate the law could be imprisoned
\nfor up to five years and fined Rp 2 billion (US$250,000).<\/p>\n
The law also sanctions the use of misleading advertisements to
\npromote products or services.<\/p>\n
Tini acknowledged producers might be affected by the new law
\nafter enjoying minimal controls for a long time, but added that
\neventually the law would benefit their businesses.<\/p>\n
\"Producers do not need to worry about the law. They should
\nrespond positively because the spirit of the law promotes fair
\ntrade.\"<\/p>\n
The Foundation also urged immediate introduction of the law to
\nall government offices which would be affected, including the
\nMinistry of Trade and Industry and courts apart from local,
\nnational and multinational producers and companies. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ylki-chief-welcomes-new-consumers-bill-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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