DPR Member Highlights Marketplace Fees Burdening MSMEs
The phenomenon of complaints from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and sellers on online marketplaces has reignited heated discussions on social media. The issue emerged after a viral post showed a simulation of revenue deductions deemed excessively burdensome for small businesses.
In the simulation, a product sold for Rp50,000 left sellers with only around Rp28,000 in net income. This sharp decline is attributed to accumulated platform fees that sellers must bear to remain competitive in the digital marketplace.
In response to these concerns, Arizal Tom Liwafa, a member of the House of Representatives’ Commission VII from the PAN Party, described the situation as a serious alarm for Indonesia’s digital economy ecosystem. He noted that while marketplaces significantly expand market reach, current fee structures are making it difficult for small businesses to grow.
“Marketplaces do help MSMEs grow, but the ecosystem shouldn’t make small sellers struggle to breathe. Many sellers are seeing higher turnover but thinner profits,” Tom Liwafa stated in an official release.
The simulation of fee deductions highlighted by business operators shows the challenges faced. To gain visibility in marketplace algorithms, sellers are pressured to participate in promotional programmes such as vouchers, free shipping, and affiliate services. Failure to comply risks their products being overlooked by potential buyers.
“Sellers are forced into price wars, advertising, and affiliate schemes, while operational costs and consumer purchasing power are also under pressure. If this continues unchecked, only large brands with strong capital will survive,” added the legislator from East Java’s First Electoral District.
Tom Liwafa’s social media post received widespread responses, including from prominent MSME practitioners like Renaldy Pujiansyah, who confirmed the real-world impact of these fee pressures.
As a DPR member overseeing industry and MSMEs, Tom Liwafa urged the government to promptly assess the balance of the digital trade ecosystem. He stressed the importance of protecting local MSMEs as the backbone of the national economy.
He proposed an open dialogue involving the government, marketplace operators, and seller communities to formulate fairer and more transparent fee structures.
“Indonesian MSMEs are more than transaction numbers. They are millions of families relying on digital trade. We must not let the digital era strip small businesses of their space to survive,” he concluded. (Z-1)