Thuggery by Rogue Civil Organisations Disrupts BYD Factory Construction in Subang
Jakarta - The issue of thuggery by rogue elements of civil society organisations (ormas) has once again come under the spotlight. Most recently, ormas members have allegedly been disrupting construction of a factory belonging to Chinese car manufacturer BYD, located in Subang, West Java.
The matter was first raised by Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno during an invitation from the Chinese Government as part of a visit to Shenzhen, China.
In response, the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM stated it would investigate the case and coordinate with BYD.
"If that is indeed the situation, God willing, I will try to contact our colleagues at BYD today to find out what the situation is, because we need to ask BYD directly. That doesn't mean the reports are not 100 per cent true, but we need to know the details," said Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, at his office in South Jakarta on Wednesday (23/4/2025).
Nurul said the issues of thuggery and illegal levies are highly disruptive to investment. The negative effects are felt not only by companies but also damage Indonesia's image in the eyes of investors. Particularly in the current climate, attracting investment to Indonesia is no easy task. Many countries are becoming increasingly protectionist and are competing to attract investment to their shores.
"Indonesia is considered unsafe, Indonesia has thuggery and all sorts of problems. This requires understanding from many parties that, in our current situation, attracting investment is not easy," he said.
Nurul assessed that thuggery by rogue ormas members also contributes to the high cost of investing in the country. He stated that such behaviour makes it harder for ordinary people to find employment.
"Those who contribute to the high economic and investment costs in Indonesia must understand that they bear an enormous burden of responsibility towards our fellow citizens who are seeking employment. We must not allow investors to leave Indonesia, fail to build their investments, and close off job opportunities for thousands of our people who should be able to work there," Nurul added.
Vice Chairman of the MPR Eddy Soeparno, who raised the allegations of ormas thuggery during BYD's factory construction while on his visit to Shenzhen, said the government must take firm action against such acts by rogue ormas elements. He emphasised that security guarantees are a fundamental requirement for attracting investment.
"There have been problems related to thuggery, with ormas disrupting the construction of BYD's production facilities. I believe the government needs to be firm in handling this issue," Eddy said.
"We must not allow investors to come to Indonesia and then feel they lack security guarantees. Security guarantees are the most fundamental requirement for investment to enter Indonesia," he added.
BYD's electric vehicle production facility is being built in Phase 2 of the Subang Smartpolitan area, West Java. BYD has committed an investment of up to Rp 11.7 trillion for the project.
The matter was first raised by Vice Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Eddy Soeparno during an invitation from the Chinese Government as part of a visit to Shenzhen, China.
In response, the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM stated it would investigate the case and coordinate with BYD.
"If that is indeed the situation, God willing, I will try to contact our colleagues at BYD today to find out what the situation is, because we need to ask BYD directly. That doesn't mean the reports are not 100 per cent true, but we need to know the details," said Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming/BKPM, at his office in South Jakarta on Wednesday (23/4/2025).
Nurul said the issues of thuggery and illegal levies are highly disruptive to investment. The negative effects are felt not only by companies but also damage Indonesia's image in the eyes of investors. Particularly in the current climate, attracting investment to Indonesia is no easy task. Many countries are becoming increasingly protectionist and are competing to attract investment to their shores.
"Indonesia is considered unsafe, Indonesia has thuggery and all sorts of problems. This requires understanding from many parties that, in our current situation, attracting investment is not easy," he said.
Nurul assessed that thuggery by rogue ormas members also contributes to the high cost of investing in the country. He stated that such behaviour makes it harder for ordinary people to find employment.
"Those who contribute to the high economic and investment costs in Indonesia must understand that they bear an enormous burden of responsibility towards our fellow citizens who are seeking employment. We must not allow investors to leave Indonesia, fail to build their investments, and close off job opportunities for thousands of our people who should be able to work there," Nurul added.
Vice Chairman of the MPR Eddy Soeparno, who raised the allegations of ormas thuggery during BYD's factory construction while on his visit to Shenzhen, said the government must take firm action against such acts by rogue ormas elements. He emphasised that security guarantees are a fundamental requirement for attracting investment.
"There have been problems related to thuggery, with ormas disrupting the construction of BYD's production facilities. I believe the government needs to be firm in handling this issue," Eddy said.
"We must not allow investors to come to Indonesia and then feel they lack security guarantees. Security guarantees are the most fundamental requirement for investment to enter Indonesia," he added.
BYD's electric vehicle production facility is being built in Phase 2 of the Subang Smartpolitan area, West Java. BYD has committed an investment of up to Rp 11.7 trillion for the project.