The sale, purchase and use of the iPhone 16 have been banned in Indonesia. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita announced that any latest Apple iPhone model used in the country was illegal and warned consumers not to buy the device abroad.

The iPhone 16 was launched globally on September 20, but Indonesia banned it along with other latest Apple products, including the iPhone 16 Pro line and the Apple Watch Series 10.

“If there is an iPhone 16 that can work in Indonesia, that means I can say the device is illegal. Report it to us,” Kartasasmita said.

The minister also said that no IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) certification has been issued for the device.

Why iPhone 16 is used and sale is banned in Indonesia

Kartasasmita said permits for the iPhone 16 have not been issued because there are still commitments that Apple must meet.

According to reports, Apple has failed to meet its investment commitments in Indonesia. The tech giant promised to invest 1.71 trillion rupiah in Indonesia, but has so far only invested 1.48 trillion rupiah ($95 million), leaving a shortfall of 230 billion of rupees ($14.75 million).

The Ministry of Industry announced earlier this month that “Apple’s iPhone 16 cannot yet be sold in Indonesia because the extension of TKDN certification is still pending, pending the completion of additional investments from Apple. »

For TKDN certification in Indonesia, companies must meet the requirements of 40 percent local content value to sell their products in the country.

The certification process is directly associated with Apple’s commitment to establishing research and development facilities, known as Apple Academies, in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Ministry of Industry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arif confirmed that the TKDN certification application for the iPhone 16 is under review but remains conditional on Apple meeting its commitments investment.

With the contribution of agencies.