Indonesia’s House of Representatives (DPR), through its Legislative Body (Baleg), has begun deliberations on the Draft Textile Law (RUU Pertekstilan). Industry associations, experts, and artisans are contributing input to enrich the draft. Muhammad Shobirin F. Hamid, Chair of the Indonesian Textile Experts Association (IKATSI), urged the bill to address three key areas: strengthening vocational and 4.0-based textile education, setting national professional standards for textile-related jobs, and offering incentives for companies investing in human resource development. He also called for the establishment of a National Textile Agency to coordinate policy and respond swiftly to industry challenges.
The proposed law is seen as vital for ensuring legal certainty, strategic industrial planning, and job creation. Redma Gita Wirawasta, Chair of the Association of Synthetic Fiber and Filament Yarn Producers (APSYFI), stressed the sector’s potential to absorb millions of low-skilled workers and contribute to upstream industries like petrochemicals. He highlighted that Indonesia's textile industry remains globally competitive, with integrated upstream-to-downstream capabilities. Meanwhile, Jemmy from the TPT industry criticized complex permitting processes and regulatory inconsistencies, which hinder business expansion. With no current legal framework specific to textiles, stakeholders hope the RUU Pertekstilan will streamline regulations, protect domestic industries, and lay out a long-term roadmap for sustainable industrial growth.
