The sale of iPhone 16 models was banned in Indonesia last week. “The iPhone 16 cannot yet be sold in Indonesia,” Indonesian Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said. The country also declared that phone use was now illegal. Indonesia’s industry minister also warned people in the country not to buy these devices from abroad. The reason behind the ban is Apple’s “broken investment commitment”. The Cupertino giant would have invested 1.48 trillion rupees (Rs 7,90,74,69,800 approximately), against the 1.71 trillion rupees promised. Here is the complete story in 5 points:

–iPhone 16 sale banned in Indonesia due to certification issues

Indonesian Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita revealed that the iPhone 16 could not be sold in Indonesia due to Apple’s failure to meet local investment requirements, crucial for obtaining the necessary certification . The absence of the iPhone 16 on major e-commerce platforms like Tokopedia, Bligli and Lazada, as well as on Apple’s official Indonesian website, supports the claim of restricted sales, despite the absence of official government order.

–Investment gap is the reason for the delay in certification

At the heart of the problem is Apple’s failure to fulfill its investment commitments. The company has invested Rs 1.48 trillion so far, a shortfall of Rs 230 billion of the required Rs 1.71 trillion. This gap affects Apple’s ability to obtain Domestic Component Level (TKDN) certification, which requires a minimum of 40% local content in devices sold in Indonesia. Minister Kartasasmita stressed that the ministry cannot issue the required permits until Apple fulfills its commitments.

– Government warns against illegal iPhone sales

Minister Kartasasmita warned consumers that any iPhone 16 available for sale in Indonesia without the necessary permits should be considered illegal. He urged the public to report such devices, strengthening the government’s stance on complying with local investment requirements. This warning highlights the severity of the certification gap and the Indonesian government’s commitment to ensuring compliance with national regulations.

–Apple CEO’s visit to Jakarta has not yet yielded results

The issue was brought to the fore following Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent visit to Jakarta, where he met with President Joko Widodo to explore opportunities to expand Apple’s presence in Indonesia, including the potential creation of local Apple Academies for research and development. Despite these discussions, no immediate solution has been found and Apple remains under pressure to fulfill its investment promises before it can sell the iPhone 16 in the Indonesian market.

–Indonesian customers face delayed access to iPhone 16

As TKDN certification remains in limbo, Indonesian consumers may have to wait longer before they can purchase the iPhone 16. The situation depends on Apple’s ability to meet remaining investment obligations, which could determine if the latest iPhone lineup will be officially available in the country. . Until then, the iPhone 16’s entry into Indonesia remains uncertain, with the company and consumers eagerly awaiting the next steps.