Gobel Also Bars Online Liquor Sales
17 April 2015 18:10 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Trade Minister Rachmat Gobel said the government’s newly-adopted ban on the sales of alcoholic beverages also affected online sales.
“Those are also prohibited because [the sellers are] considered retailers,” Gobel said at the Presidential Palace on Friday, April 17, 2015.
Gobel, however, said the online sales ban would still require further deliberations, particularly with the Communication and Information Ministry. “I don’t know the exact rules yet, but [the online sales of alcoholic drinks] should be barred, too,” he said.
Gobel said imported products had continued flooding the country via online transactions nowadays. “They don’t pay taxes. We will coordinate with the Finance Ministry,” he said.
The Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) has called on the government to review all policies pertaining to the sales ban. The association has also given the cold shoulder to Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama’s plans to establish shops exclusively selling liquor.
ANTARA | DINI PRAMITA