What people say about the role of YLKI

What people say about the role of YLKI

JAKARTA (JP): There is an art to shopping around for bargains
in goods and services. The catch is that sometimes the spending
spirals into a reckless buying binge.

Buyers are often caught in the firm grip of the producer who
uses savvy advertising to tempt them into buying goods, thereby
creating a dependency which is difficult to break.

The reliance is inevitable when producers monopolize goods or
services people need everyday. Companies providing electricity,
gasoline, water and telecommunications enjoy such monopolies --
and the attendant rupiah bonanza.

This unequal relationship laid the foundation for the
establishment of the Indonesian Consumers Organization (YLKI) 24
years ago.

The organization has continually campaigned to promote public
awareness of the YLKI and its purpose to defend consumer rights.
Despite these concerted efforts, people interviewed seemed vague
on the organization's function and the need to use its
assistance.

Henky Solaiman, a film director and actor, says he never
complains over a defective product or poor service.

"I just take it easy and try to accept it as 'bad fate'," he
says, adding he would never consider complaining through YLKI
because there are long procedures to follow.

"I know the YLKI is an organization which helps people who
have trouble with things they use, but I have no time to file a
complaint through them. I am busy working to fund my children's
education," he says, referring to two of his three children who
are studying in the United States.

Henky says he always consider whether he really needs a
product before deciding to purchase it. "Usage is my first
consideration," he says.

He believes businesses are paying more attention to the
interests of consumers due to increased competition for their
patronage.

Wisaksono Noeradi, public relations executive at Sudarto and
Noeradi Public Relations Counselors, says he handles any problems
he encounters as a consumer by immediately contacting a manager
or supervisor.

He says he talks to the manager at a bank if he has a
complaint, such as other customers trying to push in line.

He admits he rarely uses the YLKI to handle his complaints
because the position of consumers here is very weak compared to
product manufacturers or service providers.

He thinks many consumers lack initiative to complain to
shopowners or the customer service division of a company.

Noted poet Hamid Djabbar says the class action suit by YLKI
against state-owned electricity company PLN is not unusual.
"There is nothing special about the action because it is common
for the public to file suit against firms if they suffer losses
from them."

Hamid describes as "strange" the people who are opposed to the
suit against PLN.

He commends the organization's brave stance and said it should
receive the public's support to encourage it further in
protecting consumer rights. He said the action has shown people
that there are many "loopholes" in the government system and that
there is lack of coordination among the bureaucracy.

He cautions that rights do not stand alone but should be
followed by actual fulfillment of obligations by the business
community. "Both rights and obligations are two sides of the same
coin."

Madiniyah Kewuswendar, a legislator of the United Development
Party faction from Commission VIII on welfare affairs, says the
YLKI has done its best to advocate consumer rights. The
organization's mission should rightfully receive the public's
backing, she said.

Unfortunately, people's awareness of their consumer rights are
very low, Madiniyah complains. They are more concerned about
meeting their daily needs, she says.

She believes people feel powerless to sue state-run companies
as they equate them with the government.

Nastiti, an official at the directorate general of domestic
trade of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, says the class
action suit against PLN is a good step toward increasing people's
awareness of their consumers rights. But she also cautioned
against going too far.

"I hope this will not create unwanted consequences through
this massive action. It is okay to sue the firm because it has
inflicted losses on the public."

"But this should not be done in a huge way, involving
thousands of people, because this could have negative
repercussions."

Although the directorate general submitted the draft bill on
consumer protection last November, the State Secretariat is still
reviewing it.

"I don't know what to do now," she said. "I cannot speculate
whether the government considers the bill among its top
priorities." (11/05)