Universitas Islam Indonesia

20^th April 2012 first time Indonesia launched National Consumer Day (HKN). Located at Paradise Room, Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Declaration of National Consumer Day was attended by thousand participants from national agencies, organizations, business institutions, and many others. The objective of National Consumer Day was to foster consumer protection in Indonesia through socialization activities that promote consumers awareness. Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, and India were the countries which have launched its National Consumer Day.

National Consumer Day in Indonesia itself was initiated by the National Consumer Protection Agency (BPKN), in which Universitas Islam Indonesia Rector, Prof. Dr. Edy Suandi Hamid, M.Ec., served as one of the Commissioners representing academic practitioners. Also attending in this ceremony was, Deputy Minister of Trade Dr. B. Krisnamurthi, M.Sc., Deputy Minister of Health Prof. dr. Ghufron Mukti Ali, M.Sc., Ph.D., Director of Directorate General of Standardization and Consumer Protection, Secretariat General Ministry of Trade, National Association of Entrepreneurs, community leaders and some university leaders in Indonesia.

Representing the board of National Consumer Protection Agency, UII Rector delivered his Opening Remarks in this special occasion. He mentioned that National Consumer became milestone to evoke consumer awareness and protection movement, and to create critical and intelligent consumer in today’s society. Thus, all elements of society were asked to actively engage in building consumer awareness.

Furthermore, Prof. Edy who is also chairman APTISI expected National Consumer Day would be annually commemorated. Various activities such as seminars, talk shows, funbike, longmarch, and many activities were organized to commemorate the first National Consumer Day.

On the same occasion, Deputy Minister for Trade, Dr. Krisnamurthi, M.Sc., revealed that consumers represent the driving force behind economic growth in Indonesia. He said further that Indonesia’s Gross Domestic Product 2012 was estimated 10 billion dollars. Besides, consumption as a proportion of GDP is about 65 percent and over 5000 billion rupiah of our GDP comes from personal consumption. Hence, by declaring National Consumer Day, it was expected that consumer deserves worth position in the future.

Meanwhile, Chairman BPKN, Suhartini Hadad, in this occasion also stated that Although Consumer Protection Law no. 8 of 1999 has been enacted since 20 April 2000, the existing consumer protection law was still far from our expectation. Many authorities still ignores this regulation concerning consumer’s right.

"From that reason, the aim of the commemoration of National Consumer Day is to raise awareness of consumer rights." She added.

In this celebration, several awards were dedicated to consumer protection leaders, including AZ Nasution who served as law marker of consumer protection act and Erna Witoelar (former head of Indonesian Consumers Foundation/YLKI) as well as Zumrotin K. Susilo  (Head Advisor of YLKI).

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