RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Lawmaker Banyu Biru Djarot of Commission VII of the House of Representatives (DPR RI) has urged the public to closely monitor economic negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Indonesia and the United States.

He stressed that transparency in the talks is essential to safeguard the nation’s dignity, adding that comprehensive public oversight is crucial. “Amidst the uncertainty of geopolitical conflict, the people must monitor the ART microscopically, using a magnifying glass,” Banyu Biru said in Jakarta on Wednesday, May 6, 2026.

The legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) emphasized that national sovereignty and independence must be the foundation of any tariff agreement.

He reminded the government to thoroughly review every contract clause to avoid national losses and ensure that cross-sectoral deals remain within the absolute sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia.

He warned that the nation’s freedom of movement should not be restricted by asymmetrical international agreements. “We must ensure that deals across sectors do not undermine our sovereignty and independence. We must not slip into agreements that limit the nation’s freedom of movement,” he said.

Banyu Biru also underlined the importance of public participation in democratic oversight, noting that the people’s approval is the strongest form of legitimacy in foreign policy. “Monitoring must be done collectively. Each negotiation item must benefit both parties, and win-win solutions must be achieved. Minimizing asymmetries in the talks is key, so we must help oversee the government, provide input, and monitor progress,” he said.

He highlighted the agreement's direct impact on both small and large industries, stressing that the government must ensure small businesses are not disadvantaged compared to foreign products. “Protecting small businesses is a constitutional obligation that the state must consistently uphold,” he said.

National digital data protection, he added, is a strategic asset that must not be compromised. Data security, he said, reflects the sovereignty of an independent nation in today’s technological economy.

Banyu Biru further noted that the negotiations must consider global energy factors and the dynamics of the ongoing war in the Middle East, as these variables will directly affect millions of ordinary people at the bottom of the economic structure.

“This is a national moment. We must collectively provide input and monitor it with a magnifying glass, or even a microscopic view,” he said. (Misni Parjiati/Lasti Martina)