"Consumers are the main pillars of the economy. Without consumers, the economy will be paralyzed as there will be no transactions," YLKI Executive Chairman, Tulus Abadi, noted in a statement here on Thursday.
However, he added that during a transaction, consumers have often been put in the weak position.
The state that should play its role in balancing consumers` interest and business operators has often put consumers in such a weak position.
"At the end, consumers` rights were marginalized. This has become the most perceptible situation and condition of consumers? protection in 2017," he remarked.
He pointed out some cases that have shown the state`s failure to protect consumers.
Abadi revealed that n the umrah (minor haj) scam, the government had easily given the license for umrah travel agents but failed to monitor them and uphold the law to protect customers.
On the dispute regarding the license for integrated housing complex construction in Cikarang of West Java, the different stance between West Java administration and the central government has put consumers in legal uncertainty. On the other hand, developers have continued with the bombastic promotion of the housing complex.
According to Abadi, the state has sparked more public anxiety over its policy on re-registration of pre-paid sim card holders, simplification of electricity tariff, and the Non-cash National Campaign.
The government has been powerless in protecting consumers and public interest because of its market-oriented policy in electricity and fuel oil price, scarcity of subsidized gas, and food import, he explained.
Critical consumers who fought for their rights have even been criminalized by business operators, he pointed out.
Reported by Dewanto Samodro
(S022/INE)
EDITED BY INE/a014
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
