Rahardi says rehash consumer rights bill

Rahardi says rehash consumer rights bill

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Industry and Trade Rahardi Ramelan
said on Monday that the government could technically accept the
draft law on consumers' rights proposed by the House of
Representatives, but he called for some changes in its contents
and format to make it acceptable to the public.

"The bill is in tune with the government's view that the
country needs to have a law which protects consumers. However,
the bill still needs some adjustments," Rahardi said during a
House of Representatives' plenary session.

Rahardi said the bill had some points that overlapped with
other laws.

"For instance, the bill also mentions environmental
protection. The chapter regarding this can be dropped due to the
fact the issue is addressed in the Environmental Law," Rahardi
was quoted by Antara as saying.

He also said the bill had some chapters which could be
combined to make it simpler and more concise.

Rahardi proposed that chapters on unlawful actions be combined
in one chapter which forbids entrepreneurs to produce and trade
in damaged and contaminated products or promote and advertise
them.

Commenting on class action against unruly producers which
would be possible if the bill is passed into law, Rahardi said:
"In our opinion, there has to be a regulation for that and it has
to be conducted under a better procedure, so that consumers can
channel their aspirations in the proper way."

The bill also calls for the establishment of an agency, the
Coordinating Body for Consumer Protection, which would watch over
the implementation of the law and determine national standards
for product quality.

Rahardi noted the functions of the body would overlap with
those of the government.

"Therefore, we have to be careful in the plan of establishing
the body. The establishment of the body would only add more
complexities to the existing bureaucracy," Rahardi said.

However, Rahardi supported the bill's demand for the formation
of a special body which would help settle disputes between
consumers and producers.

"The body should also be given the right to settle disputes
out of court," Rahardi said.

But, Rahardi said, the government should retain the right to
coordinate the efforts of protecting consumers against unruly
producers.

Analysts have voiced appreciation of the House's initiative in
proposing the law given the fact that most of the country's laws
were made on the initiative of the government. (jsk)