Plain Packaging Cigarette Rules Protested, Ministry of Industry Warns of Risks to National Industry

Director of the Beverages, Tobacco Products and Refreshment Industry at the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), Merrijantij Punguan Pintaria, has voiced opposition to the proposed standardisation or plain packaging of tobacco products in discussions surrounding the implementing regulations of Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 (PP 28/2024). The objection was raised during a public consultation on the draft Minister of Health Regulation (RPMK) held by the Ministry of Health on Tuesday, 25 May 2026. According to Merrijantij, the Ministry of Industry, along with various stakeholders, has raised objections to the standardised packaging rules for cigarettes due to potential wide-ranging impacts on the industry. ‘We provided input today. We will await the final draft considering these submissions. Standardised packaging is what we reject,’ he stated in an official comment. The controversy over plain packaging resurfaced after the RPMK’s title change was deemed not to alter the regulatory substance. Business stakeholders argue that clauses on standardised packaging remain, potentially infringing intellectual property rights. From the business perspective, the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (Apindo) has also highlighted the policy’s impact on the investment climate and the sustainability of the tobacco industry. Apindo’s Public Policy Head, Sutrisno Iwantono, stated that legal certainty and regulatory stability are crucial for businesses when making investments. ‘For businesses, legal certainty, regulatory stability, and investment protection are paramount. If a policy is implemented, a comprehensive assessment is needed to avoid disrupting the investment climate,’ he said. Sutrisno noted the tobacco industry has long been a major employer and is interconnected with various sectors, including distribution, retail, and supporting and creative industries. ‘We know the tobacco sector plays a vital role in the economy, capable of absorbing both direct and indirect labour. Any policy will inevitably impact this,’ he added.