Rachmat Gobel Urges Fair Treatment for Longtime Investors, Highlights Japan’s Human-Centered Investment Model

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — President of the Indonesia-Japan Friendship Association Rachmat Gobel has urged the Indonesian government to ensure fair treatment for longstanding foreign investors, rather than focusing incentives solely on new entrants. He made the statement during the Indonesia-Japan Executive Dialogue 2025, held in Jakarta on Wednesday, Aug. 6.

Gobel, who also chairs the Indonesia-Japan Parliamentary League, warned that a short-sighted approach favoring fresh capital inflows could erode investor trust and undermine Indonesia’s long-term economic competitiveness. He emphasized that established players, particularly from Japan, have long contributed to national development and should not be overlooked in policy decisions.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy domestic market environment to attract high-quality investment. “To draw in long-term investors, the market must be credible. We cannot allow a flood of low-quality products,” Gobel said.

Indonesia, he argued, should strengthen quality control and take cues from Japan’s long-standing philosophy of monozukuri—the art of making things—and hitozukuri, which refers to developing skilled human resources. Gobel described Japanese investment as more than just financial input; it includes training centers, workforce development, and deep local engagement.

“Japan invests not only in products but in people,” Gobel said. “Before creating high-quality products, they create high-quality humans.”

He contrasted Indonesia’s open-door approach to all forms of investment with Malaysia’s selective policy that only welcomes high-end technology. Gobel called for stricter evaluation criteria focused on long-term impact, rather than the immediate value of capital inflows.

Government Pledges Improved Investor Screening

Responding to Gobel’s remarks, Investment Minister and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Perkasa Roeslani acknowledged the need to improve how Indonesia engages with investors.

Speaking at the same forum, Rosan said that President Joko Widodo had specifically instructed his ministry to protect and retain investors who have already committed significant capital to the country.

“Those who have spent millions of dollars investing in Indonesia—those are the ones we are determined to protect,” Rosan told the audience, earning applause.

Rosan admitted that Indonesia previously lacked a robust system to evaluate investor profiles. However, BKPM has now established a special team to assess potential investors’ financial capacity, technological readiness, and long-term commitment.

The new policy aims to prevent future risks by identifying credible partners from the outset. “We now analyze every investor before granting access to our domestic market,” Rosan said.

The shift signals a more strategic approach to foreign direct investment, focusing on sustainable partnerships that align with Indonesia’s long-term economic goals, particularly in sectors like electronics, automotive, and high-value manufacturing.

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