The never-ending controversy over the market launch of the iPhone 16 in Indonesia is apparently moving towards a resolution: the Indonesian government sent concerned signals on Wednesday. Investment Minister Rosen Roslani said in a Interview with stock market broadcaster BloombergHe believes “firmly that this (controversy) will be over very soon.” He gave time for the next one to two weeks.
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Trouble with Industry Minister
However, Roeslani was not the political official at the center of the case. Instead, Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita kept coming forward with new demands. Apple’s problems in the world’s fourth largest country began in October. At that time the government accused the iPhone company of investing less than the 13.5 million euros that the company had promised.
The country reacted harshly and refused to give local IMEI to the iPhone 16 (all four models) released in September. In practice, this meant that the devices could not be used there, making it pointless to sell them. Indonesia is very important to Apple not only because of its size, but also because its very young population is known to be tech-savvy.
Change in calculation basis
Since the beginning of the conflict, Apple has tried to calm the situation, gradually increasing the proposed investment commitment and now even wants to produce AirTags and other hardware in Indonesia. But that wasn’t enough for Kartasasmita, who demanded that Indonesia become part of the iPhone supply chain before the devices could be approved. Direct investment of US$1 billion was discussed in December, but it was not immediately accepted. Communication was extremely bumpy: if the President and some ministers gave hope to Apple, the Industry Minister always saw it differently.
Obviously the government has now agreed on a common line. Apple’s latest investment package is said to be able to circumvent the iPhone 16 ban in Southeast Asia’s largest country. However, it is unclear how the final requirement of Kartasasmita will be complied with, which stipulates that at least some parts of the iPhone be manufactured in Indonesia. According to Investment Minister Roeslani, now it is just a matter of calculations. Apple is now doing it “differently” and has now found “a solution.” He didn’t say what it looked like.
(B.Sc.)
