A lesson stands to be learnt from this matter that building a nation necessitates upholding principlesJakarta (ANTARA) - A legislator from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) lauded President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) for revocation of the presidential regulation's attachment on investment permit for the liquor industry.
"A lesson stands to be learnt from this matter that building a nation necessitates upholding principles," the House of Representatives (DPR) member from the PKS faction, Mardani Ali Sera, stated.
President Jokowi had finally paid heed to the aspirations and inputs of various elements of the society at large, Sera told ANTARA in Jakarta on Tuesday.
President Jokowi announced on Tuesday that he had revoked Presidential Regulation No. 10 of 2021 on Investment that regulates investment permit for the liquor industry.
As published on the Indonesian Presidential Secretariat's YouTube channel, Jokowi said he had revoked the regulation's attachment on the liquor industry-related investment permit.
President Jokowi spoke of having taken the decision after gathering inputs from various figures, including those from the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI), and regions.
Sera noted that President Jokowi's decision ultimately reflected his attention to the public’s voices, though all stood to take a cue from this case for the future.
"Mr President alone has affirmed that development of Indonesia's human resources is directed to be (his administration's) main priority," he stated.
Revocation of this controversial decision would salvage the government's prioritized programs firmly prepared by President Jokowi, he remarked.
Apart from the revocation, Sera encouraged President Jokowi to trace back how the point of the liquor industry-investment permit could be adopted in the attachment.
"I laud the decision because he has paid attention to the public’s voices. Please, do not allow such a similar decision be taken again," he emphasized.
Early this week, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) had officially voiced its opposition to the government's decision to open investment permits for the liquor industry.
The party's stance was conveyed by PKS Secretary General Habib Aboe Bakar Alhabsyi at the opening session of the party's national working meeting on Monday.
Jokowi signed Presidential Regulation No.10 of 2021 on Investment on February 2, 2021, thereby opening up investments in the alcoholic drinks industry in the provinces of Bali, East Nusa Tenggara, North Sulawesi, and Papua.
Responding to the regulation, Filep Wamafma, a member of the Regional Representatives' Council (DPD) representing West Papua's electoral area, sincerely requested President Widodo to revoke the investment permit.
"We appeal to Mr. President to revoke the government's investment permit for the alcoholic beverages industry in Papua," Wamafma noted in a press statement last week.
He cautioned against a surge in the crime rate following liquor intake in the country's easternmost province.
The regulation on investment is a follow-up to the job creation law that the House of Representatives (DPR) passed last year.
"Referring to the presidential regulation, the liquor industry may obtain investments from both foreign and domestic investors," Wamafma stated.
Investment in the liquor industry could also come from cooperative units and small and medium enterprises, he remarked.
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Translator: Dewanto S, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2021
