BYD Factory Protested by Mass Organisation; Industry Minister Responds

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Industry Minister Muhammad Sarmuji has commented on a demonstration by a mass organisation at BYD’s factory site in Subang, West Java. The protest was prompted by demands for the company to provide more job opportunities for local residents.

Sarmuji said he had received information about the issue. The Ministry of Industry is also considering visiting the site to establish the facts behind the disagreement between the company and the surrounding community.

“We have received the information, but of course resolving it is not solely the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry. We will check, and if necessary, we will visit in coordination with parties outside the Ministry of Industry,” Sarmuji said after the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (Kadin) National Leadership Meeting in Jakarta on Friday (30 October 2026).

The issue of hiring local workers cannot be viewed from just one side. The company may feel it has made a substantial contribution by recruiting people from the surrounding area, while residents may consider the job opportunities available insufficient.

In his view, these differing assessments need to be brought together so that they do not continue to develop into a dispute between industry and the community.

“Sometimes industry and the community have different perspectives. Industry feels it has done enough, while the community feels it is not enough. These views need to be brought together, and there needs to be a shared understanding. If they are not on the same wavelength, problems will continue,” he said.

The issue at BYD’s Subang factory adds to the challenges facing investment in Indonesia’s automotive industry. Earlier, construction of the Chinese company’s production facility also drew scrutiny over alleged acts of thuggery by individuals associated with a mass organisation.