BKPM Says Job Creation Law Prevents Corruption

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Head Bahlil Lahadalia claimed the Omnibus Law on Job Creation would be effective to prevent corruption practices as it minimized the space for applicants and license issuers to directly meet.

“This law prevents corruption, narrows the chances of people to have direct contact. This is likely the most patent regulation,” said Bahlil in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, October 7, 2020.

Bahlil explained that through the jobs law, all business permits would be processed through online single submission or OSS. Other than preventing graft action, he believed the system would simplify the licensing process and optimize the business climate.

Potential investors, he claimed, complained about facing difficulties in obtaining a business permit in Indonesia that was attributable to sectoral egos of each ministry and agency. Thus, the newly-enacted law could be the answer to the issues, Bahlil added. 

He was optimistic that the investment climate in Indonesia would grow better, claiming 103 investors have entered the country. The increase in investment would then create wider job opportunities. 

“There are seven million people who are looking for a job. As many as 2.9 million vocational school graduates and 6 million others are laid off due to the pandemic. So this law is for the future,” Bahlil remarked.

The House of Representatives (DPR) enacted the contentious omnibus bill on Job Creation into law on October 5, 2020. Six factions, namely PDIP, Gerindra, PKB, Golkar, PPP, and NasDem, approved the ratification. One faction PAN agreed with notes, while two other factions, Democrats and PKS, conveyed their objections to the law.

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FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA