Stronger Rejection as Health Ministry's Plain Packaging Rules Seen to Broadly Impact Labour

Opposition to the proposed standardisation of tobacco product packaging under the Draft Ministerial Regulation of the Ministry of Health (RPMK) has strengthened. Several business associations, alongside the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), have warned that the policy could significantly impact the investment climate, industry, and related sectors. Opposition intensified following a public consultation by the Ministry of Health on health warnings for tobacco and e-cigarette products on Monday, 25 May 2026. The regulation’s title change has not been accompanied by substantive amendments, as the plain packaging provisions—requiring standardisation of packaging—continue to face opposition from affected stakeholders. One key concern is the potential impact on intellectual property rights, particularly trademarks. Merrijantij Punguan Pintaria, Director of Beverage, Tobacco, and Refreshment Industries at the Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin), stated that stakeholders had raised objections during the public consultation. ‘Together with all stakeholders, we have provided input. We await the final draft incorporating these suggestions. It is the packaging standardisation that we oppose,’ he said in a press release on Friday, 29 May 2026. From the business perspective, the Indonesian Entrepreneurs Association (Apindo) has called for a comprehensive review of the policy to prevent uncertainties that could harm investments. Apindo’s Head of Public Policy, Sutrisno Iwantono, emphasised the importance of legal and regulatory certainty for business sustainability. ‘For businesses, legal certainty, regulatory stability, and investment protection are paramount. If implementing a policy, a comprehensive review is necessary to avoid disrupting the investment climate,’ he said. ‘We know the tobacco industry is a key sector in the economy, capable of absorbing both direct and indirect labour. Any policy will inevitably impact this,’ he added. Sutrisno also highlighted the extensive links between the tobacco industry and other sectors in the supply chain. ‘Specifically, considering its industrial linkages—such as distribution, retail, supporting industries, and even creative sectors,’ he added.