Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, has yet to give the green light for the launch of the iPhone 16 in Indonesia.
During a conversation with the press on Tuesday, 22nd October, Kartasasmita explained that the Indonesian government has not granted permission for the latest mobile device to be launched and distributed in the country because Apple—the American multinational corporation behind the design and marketing of the iPhone—has yet to fulfil its investment obligations in Indonesia.
“We, the Ministry of Industry, are yet to be able to issue permits for the [launching of] iPhone 16 [in Indonesia] because there are still commitments that Apple must realise,” Kartasasmita underscored.
As of October, Apple has only realised an investment valued at Rp1.48 trillion, leaving a gap of Rp240 billion from the total commitment, which was originally set at Rp1.71 trillion. As a result, the Ministry of Industry is currently unable to release the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) for the device.
Kartasasmita further confirmed that any iPhone 16 sold in Indonesia would be considered illegal.
“If there is an iPhone 16 that can operate in Indonesia, that means that I can say, the device is illegal. Do report it to us,” he added.
Previously, on Monday, 7th of October, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry, Febri Hendri Antoni Arif, told the press that the process for the Domestic Component Level (Tingkat Komponen Dalam Negeri or TKDN) certification application for the iPhone 16 was underway. However, the issuance of the certification is also tied to Apple’s investment commitment in Indonesia.
“We are [still] processing the TKDN certification application for the iPhone 16. [However,] this links to Apple’s investment commitment to build the Apple Academy [in Indonesia],” Arif explained.
The iPhone 16, as well as the iPhone 16 Pro lineup, Apple Watch Series 10, the new black titanium Apple Watch Ultra 2, AirPods 4, and AirPods Max in new colours, were officially introduced and distributed to global markets by Apple on Friday, 20th of September.