RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso has proposed amending the Consumer Protection Law (UUPK) during a workshop with Committee III of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). He said changes in consumer shopping behavior require a more adaptive and relevant legal framework.

The ministry’s evaluation found that Law No. 8/1999, which has been in effect for nearly 27 years, is no longer fully compatible with modern trade dynamics. “The UUPK still has weaknesses, including in language, structure, dispute resolution, institutional framework, and implementation,” Minister Budi said in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He emphasized that the growth of trade through electronic systems has triggered new risks, including digital scams, illegal online loans, the distribution of counterfeit goods, misleading advertising practices, and manipulative schemes that harm consumers.

The 2025 National Consumer Empowerment Index (IKK) stood at 63.44, placing it in the critical category, up from 60.11 in 2024. This indicates that consumers are becoming more active in advocating for their rights while also prioritizing domestic products.

Complaint data shows that online transactions have dominated over the past five years. Of the 37,813 reports filed from 2021 through March 2026, 94.73 percent or 35,820 complaints, stemmed from online transactions.

To address these challenges, the ministry is strengthening regulations through Minister of Trade Regulation No. 31/2023 on digital commerce. Oversight is also being tightened through the formation of an Assistance Team, as stipulated in Minister of Trade Decision No. 6/2024, to monitor e-commerce activities.

Inter-agency coordination is being carried out with the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN), the Consumer Dispute Resolution Agency (BPSK), the Community-Based Consumer Protection Institution (LPKSM), and the Directorate General of Customs and Excise to prevent hazardous or substandard goods from entering the market.

DPD Commission III emphasized the importance of an inclusive consumer protection approach, particularly for vulnerable groups. It also stressed that the sustainability of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must remain a central focus in regulatory updates. ***