by Setyawati Fitrianggraeni and Tiara Amanda Putri
Overview
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia has officially issued Government Regulation No. 3 of 2026 as a strategic measure to reform the national trade governance framework amid global economic dynamics that increasingly demand efficiency and transparency.(1) This regulation was introduced at a time when Indonesia’s trade balance in February 2026 recorded a surplus of USD1.27 billion, driven by strong non-oil and gas exports such as nickel and vegetable oils.(2) To sustain this positive trend, the new regulation aligns with the risk-based business licensing framework to provide greater legal certainty for business actors while strengthening oversight of domestic goods distribution.(1) The main focus of this reform is to strike a balance between modern investment and the protection of the people-based economic foundation, including the revitalization of traditional markets to ensure they remain competitive amid the growing dominance of modern retail chains.(3)
This trade governance reform includes the restructuring of coordinating ministries’ roles, as well as tighter regulatory frameworks for the digital trade sector and direct selling systems.(4) Shifting consumer behavior toward convenience and practical services has prompted the government to strengthen zoning regulations and standardization measures aimed at preventing unfair competition practices, including predatory pricing and abuse of dominant market positions by large businesses.(3) In addition, real-time data integration among relevant ministries serves as a new backbone of the export-import monitoring system to minimize administrative violations.(4)
Key Highlights
- Recategorizing the Coordination of Food and Non-Food Commodity Policies
This regulation establishes a separation of authority in trade policy coordination, now divided by commodity type. The parties responsible for implementing this coordination are the Coordinating Minister for Food for food commodities, and the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs for non-food commodities.(4) The process is carried out through coordination meetings led by the respective Coordinating Ministers to enhance inter-agency alignment in setting export-import policies and controlling industrial raw materials, thereby strengthening domestic industrial structures.(1)
- Prohibition of MLM Operations on Marketplaces and Tightening of Direct Selling Schemes
The government prohibits companies holding a direct selling (Multi-Level Marketing or MLM) business license from distributing goods through indirect distribution channels or through online marketplace platforms.(4) This rule applies to all direct selling companies and independent members of their marketing networks, who are required to conduct transactions only through the company’s official network directly to end consumers.(1) Its implementation is carried out by imposing strict criteria against pyramid schemes, prohibiting companies from generating profits through unreasonable membership fees or granting bonuses not derived from actual product sales, in order to protect consumers from misleading business practices.(5)
- Strengthening Export-Import Supervision through Real-Time Data Integration
This regulation introduces a stronger compliance monitoring system for importers and exporters through digitally integrated cross-sectoral coordination.(1) The involved authorities include the Minister of Trade, the Minister of Finance, and Trade Supervisory Officers at both central and regional levels. The mechanism requires the Ministry of Finance to provide real-time export and import realization data to the Ministry of Trade, enabling the Minister of Trade to recommend administrative sanctions, including requests to restrict import activities, against non-compliant business actors.(4)
References
1. Government Regulation of the Republic of Indonesia No. 3 of 2026 on the Implementation of Trade Affairs.
2. Lestarini AH. Metro TV News. 2026. Neraca Dagang RI Surplus USD1,27 Miliar, Ini Pendorong Ekspor dan Impor. Available from: https://www.metrotvnews.com/read/NOlC9PDn-neraca-dagang-ri-surplus-usd1-27-miliar-ini-pendorong-ekspor-dan-impor
3. Ananda KMS, Fitriani R, Fatimah. Perlindungan Pasar Tradisional terhadap Dominasi Toko Swalayan dalam Perspektif Hukum Persaingan Usaha. Legalita. 2025 Dec 4;7(2):311–7. doi:10.47637/legalita.v7i2.2021
4. Simanjuntak SDA. Prabowo Terbitkan PP 3 Tahun 2026, Tata Niaga Perdagangan Direformasi. Available from: https://ekbis.harianjogja.com/read/2026/02/04/502/1244918/prabowo-terbitkan-pp-3-tahun-2026-tata-niaga-perdagangan-direformasi
5. Muslimawati N. kumparanBisnis. 2026. Prabowo Rombak Aturan Perdagangan, Bisnis MLM Dilarang Masuk Marketplace. Available from: https://kumparan.com/kumparanbisnis/prabowo-rombak-aturan-perdagangan-bisnis-mlm-dilarang-masuk-marketplace-26lSFKM8sad/full
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