Sambuaga noted that the government froze the operation of TikTok Shop, an online shopping feature offered by TikTok, as it violated its permit for operating merely as a social media platform.
"Earlier, TikTok did not conform to rules and did not have a permit (as an e-commerce platform). Once it has the permit, it can collaborate with anyone as long as it abides by applicable regulations and procedures," he remarked.
The minister made the statement after attending the opening of an electric vehicle exhibition in Jakarta on Tuesday.
The deputy minister explained that the government enacted Trade Minister's Regulation No. 31 of 2023 with the aim of affirming that in Indonesia, a social media platform should not combine its functions and features with ones akin to those offered by e-commerce platforms.
"TikTok is currently making efforts to comply with applicable rules. It should run its functions without neglecting Trade Minister's Regulation No. 31 of 2023," he remarked.
The government has been striving to ensure that collaboration established between TikTok and any e-commerce platforms will not harm other business actors, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), he added.
"We also need to pay attention to MSMEs. Why? Because the government has committed to protecting and siding with MSMEs," Sambuaga stated.
Earlier, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki remarked that TikTok had established coordination with three e-commerce platforms in Indonesia.
TikTok has been communicating with Tokopedia, Bukalapak, and an e-commerce platform of CT Corp, he stated, adding that the purpose of the communication is still unknown.
"I received this information from the e-commerce platforms, not TikTok," Masduki stated in Jakarta on Thursday (November 23).
Masduki then said that he believes it is just a matter of time before TikTok resumes its TikTok Shop feature in Indonesia.
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Translator: Ade Irma, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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