DPR Commission VII Urges Government to Optimise MSMEs to Mitigate Global Shocks

The Chairman of Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI), Saleh Partaonan Daulay, has requested the government, through the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), to optimise the role of MSMEs in facing global economic shocks. He emphasised that MSMEs are the heart of the Indonesian economy and must serve as a primary pillar to ensure resilience amidst uncertain geopolitical situations.

“If the MSME sector is not managed correctly, our economy will certainly be shaken. In the midst of the current geopolitical situation, one of our main pillars is MSMEs,” said Saleh during a working meeting with the Ministry of MSMEs at the parliamentary complex in Jakarta on Monday.

Furthermore, he expressed a desire to understand the specific efforts being undertaken by the Ministry of MSMEs to support entrepreneurs beyond those receiving the People’s Business Credit (KUR). He noted that while MSMEs receiving KUR are automatically recorded, there is a need to collect data on all business actors across Indonesia to support national development with valid information. This is particularly crucial as the DPR RI is currently drafting the ‘One Data Indonesia’ Bill.

He warned that data regarding the number of MSME players should not differ between ministries, such as the Ministry of MSMEs, the Ministry of Trade, and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Discrepancies in data, he argued, would lead to unfocused planning regarding the distribution of assistance. “Therefore, accurate data collection is also of great importance,” he concluded.