YLKI Threatens to File Lawsuit Against Social Affairs Minister

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesia Consumer Organization (YLKI) plans to file a lawsuit against Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa for handing out cigarettes to members of the Anak Dalam tribe in Jambi. Sudaryatmo, YLKI's administrator, said that the organization will take legal measures if the Minister does not respond to YLKI's objection.

"YLKI had tried to convey its objection in the media so that the Minister can provide a response by using her right of reply. However, the Minister considers giving away cigarettes is a normal thing," Sudaryatmo said.

"We had also send a letter to the Minister today [Friday, March 27, 2015] and if she does not respond or apologize in the next two weeks. YLKI and the Public Advocate Solidarity for Tobacco Control [organization] will take legal measures because the Minister deliberately ignores public health by giving away cigarettes," Sudaryatmo added.

Sudaryatmo added that the action contradicts the government's commitment in controlling the effects of tobacco on public health. In addition Sudaryatmo argued that by giving away cigarettes, the Minister had violated Government Regulation No. 109/2012.

Article 35 of the Government Regulation states that the government must control the promotion of tobacco products by not giving away cigarettes for free, banning discounts of tobacco products, and not giving away tobacco products as gifts.

ANTARANEWS