Ratification and Demonstration's Impacts on Small-Medium Enterprises (eps. Omnibus Law)

 (10/12) Demonstrations against the Omnibus Law in Makassar City have been going on for four days with two days break on last Saturday and Sunday. This of course raises pros and cons in the society, some support, some criticize. The effect of this demonstration also affects small and medium enterprises around the point where the demonstration takes place. Endang, a coffee shop owner, feels more impacted by the demonstration of rejection of the Omnibus Law rather than ratification of the Omnibus Law itself.

"Actually, the impact of the Omnibus Law on middle class enterprise is more positive, for example it is easier in licensing because everything is by one door." She said on interview with the Jeher News' team this afternoon.

Shee has yet to feel the impact of the Omnibus Law or the 'Sapu Jagat' Law much at this time because this new regulation has more impact on upscale businesses and their workers.

Mba Endang, as she is called, said that the demonstration against the Omnibus Law was actually detrimental to her business because the demonstration point was very close to the location of her coffee shop.

"Indeed, demonstrations are necessary, but they must be orderly, have clear point of gathering, neat, and not causing traffic jams so that we, small business actors, didn't be aggrieved, and our income will not be decreased. Our shops are empty of customers because they are stuck in traffic due to road closures. Also when we wanted to go home, we were stuck in a traffic jam 'till we had to drive even farther. It all made us more emotional, because after tired of work, we were tired on the road again. "

She also asserted that the demonstrators should've known about what they are fighting for, not only to enliven the demonstration. As intellectual beings, it is better for students to take the path that has been provided by the polity, such as proposing a Judicial Review to the Constitutional Court so that there is a material testing and so that the economy stays safe and runs well too. Especially in the midst of a pandemic like nowadays.

Not only the coffee shop owners were affected, but also the catering business owner, Eva is one of them. She emphasized that whether the Omnibus Law is legal or not will not change anything in her business. 

However, the demonstration of the rejection of the Omnibus Law along with the Coronavirus pandemic made her movement space extremely obstructed in supplying catering needs, so that her expenses swelled due to the use of unexpected funds and slowed the entry of catering income. From petrol money to grocery pick-up services fee. According to her, the current demonstration is not the most appropriate step to take, because it will only increase the number of positive cases of Covid-19 in Indonesia. She suggested the demonstrators to always follow health protocols and help the government cut off the chain of spreading of this virus.

"However, our lives matter. It is better to stay at home so that this pandemic may end sooner, therefore national monetary runs well as before." Said Eva via short message service earlier today. (jhr)