Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita says the government will maintain the current function of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) as the country’s independent business watchdog.

The minister’s statement was made in accordance with the ongoing revision of Law No. 5/1999 on business competition and anti-monopoly, which is being prepared by the Trade Ministry.

“The KPPU needs to remain independent because it’s the watchdog of business competition,” Enggartiasto said after meeting with KPPU commissioners in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The revised law aims to strengthen the institution and authority of the KPPU in dealing with unhealthy business competition and business monopoly practices.

It is expected to also introduce several changes including the new definition of business players and mergers of business entities.

Enggartiasto said there was no article in the bill that stipulated the KPPU was under the control of the ministry, instead, the commission would be under the supervision of the President.

He promised that KPPU commissioners would be involved in preparing the draft law, which was being prepared by a team whose members consisted of representatives of the government and the House of Representatives Commission VI overseeing trade, among others.

“A working committee will invite KPPU [commissioners] to provide input to the committee,” Enggartiasto said. (bbn)