Jokowi to Roll Back Counterproductive Business Policies

Jakarta Globe, Ezra Sihite, September 2, 2015

President Joko Widodo ordered his ministers on Wednesday to help him examine
 existing regulations, conduct preliminary investigations, and deregulate unnecessary
policies. (Antara Photo/Yudhi Mahatma)

Jakarta. President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday that at least 110 government regulations were counterproductive, outdated or did not support Indonesia's business activities.

"We need major deregulation [policies],” Joko said as he opened a cabinet meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta. “We need new regulations that can actually improve the climate of our economy as soon as possible.”

Joko ordered his ministers on Wednesday to help him examine existing regulations, conduct preliminary investigations, and deregulate unnecessary policies.

“If we don't [take this step], the business sector will [face] difficulties [in growing]. They will have difficulties to disburse their [investment capital],” Joko said.

The president said that two days would be set aside this week at the palace in Bogor for cabinet members to gather to discuss deregulating counterproductive policies.

The president did not identify which regulations would be called into question, although he noted that “inflows of money from outside will be hampered. So I want everything to be quickly settled.”