Understanding the Trade Law

Oct 13, 2025 by leolavanderia.com.br 125 views

Legal Protection for Consumers Against the Acts of Hoarding Materials: An Overview of the Trade Law and Consumer Protection Act

The problem of hoarding basic necessities by business actors is a pressing issue that often arises, especially during times of inflation or natural disasters. This act can cause significant harm to consumers, leading to scarcity, price increases, and difficulty in obtaining basic necessities. In this article, we will discuss the legal protection for consumers against hoarding practices in terms of Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trade and Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection.

Understanding the Trade Law

Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trade regulates the accumulation of basic necessities in Article 107. The article states that business actors who carry out hoarding with the aim of raising prices in the market can be convicted with a maximum imprisonment of 5 (five) years and a maximum fine of Rp. 5,000,000,000 (five billion rupiah). This provision aims to prevent business actors from engaging in hoarding practices that can harm consumers.

The Role of the Consumer Protection Act

Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection provides legal protection for consumers through various aspects, including in terms of hoarding. Consumers have the right to obtain goods and/or services that are safe, quality, and in accordance with the exchange rate. The hoarding that causes scarcity and price increases unnaturally clearly violates consumer rights. The Consumer Protection Act emphasizes the importance of protecting consumers from unfair business practices, including hoarding.

Legal Protection Mechanism for Consumers

Legal protection for consumers against hoarding can be done through preventive and repressive measures.

Preventive Protection

The government has an important role in supervising the trade in basic necessities. This can be done through:

Market Monitoring: The government can regularly monitor prices and availability of basic necessities in the market.
Oversight of Goods Circulation: The government can supervise the circulation of goods, especially basic necessities, to prevent hoarding.
Socialization: The government can conduct socialization to the public regarding consumer rights and obligations, as well as the dangers of hoarding.

Repressive Protection

Consumers can sue businesses that carry out hoarding through:

Police Report: Consumers can report business actors who hoard the police. Business actors can be charged with Article 107 of the previously mentioned trade Law.
Civil Lawsuit: Consumers can sue business actors in a civilized reason for violations of the Consumer Protection Act. This lawsuit can be made to get compensation for losses experienced by hoarding.

Conclusion

Legal protection for consumers against the accumulation of basic necessities has been regulated comprehensively in the Trade and Consumer Protection Act. The mechanism of legal protection available, both preventive and repressive, is expected to provide a deterrent effect for businesses who carry out hoarding and protect the rights of consumers to obtain basic goods at a reasonable and affordable price.

Suggestion

To increase the effectiveness of legal protection for consumers, it is necessary to do several things:

Increased Supervision and Law Enforcement: The government should increase supervision and law enforcement of businesses that carry out hoarding.
More Massive Socialization: More massive socialization to the public about consumer rights and the mechanism of legal protection available is necessary.
Increasing the Role of Consumer Organizations: Increasing the role of consumer organizations in overseeing and fighting for consumer rights is essential.

With a strong legal protection, consumers are expected to be protected from hoarding practices and gain fair access to basic goods. The government, business actors, and consumer organizations must work together to ensure that consumers are protected from unfair business practices and have access to basic necessities at a reasonable and affordable price.

Recommendations for Future Research

Future research should focus on the following areas:

The Impact of Hoarding on Consumers: A study on the impact of hoarding on consumers, including the effects on their purchasing power and access to basic necessities.
The Effectiveness of Legal Protection: A study on the effectiveness of legal protection for consumers against hoarding, including the role of the government, business actors, and consumer organizations.
The Role of Consumer Education: A study on the role of consumer education in preventing hoarding and promoting consumer protection.

By conducting further research in these areas, we can gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding hoarding and develop effective strategies to protect consumers and promote fair business practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Legal Protection for Consumers Against Hoarding

In our previous article, we discussed the legal protection for consumers against hoarding practices in terms of Law Number 7 of 2014 concerning Trade and Law Number 8 of 1999 concerning Consumer Protection. Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about legal protection for consumers against hoarding:

Q: What is hoarding, and how does it affect consumers?

A: Hoarding refers to the practice of accumulating basic necessities, such as food, medicine, and other essential goods, with the intention of raising prices in the market. This can cause scarcity, price increases, and difficulty in obtaining basic necessities, ultimately harming consumers.

Q: What are the consequences of hoarding for business actors?

A: According to Article 107 of the Trade Law, business actors who carry out hoarding with the aim of raising prices in the market can be convicted with a maximum imprisonment of 5 (five) years and a maximum fine of Rp. 5,000,000,000 (five billion rupiah).

Q: How can consumers protect themselves from hoarding practices?

A: Consumers can protect themselves from hoarding practices by:

Monitoring prices and availability of basic necessities in the market
Reporting business actors who hoard to the police
Suing business actors in a civilized reason for violations of the Consumer Protection Act
Participating in consumer education and awareness programs

Q: What is the role of the government in preventing hoarding?

A: The government has an important role in preventing hoarding by:

Supervising the trade in basic necessities
Monitoring prices and availability of basic necessities in the market
Conducting socialization to the public regarding consumer rights and obligations
Increasing supervision and law enforcement of businesses that carry out hoarding

Q: How can consumer organizations contribute to preventing hoarding?

A: Consumer organizations can contribute to preventing hoarding by:

Overseeing and fighting for consumer rights
Conducting research and advocacy on consumer protection issues
Providing education and awareness programs to consumers
Collaborating with the government and business actors to promote fair business practices

Q: What are the benefits of legal protection for consumers against hoarding?

A: The benefits of legal protection for consumers against hoarding include:

Protection of consumer rights and interests
Prevention of unfair business practices
Promotion of fair competition and market stability
Increased access to basic necessities at a reasonable and affordable price

Q: How can consumers report hoarding practices to the authorities?

A: Consumers can report hoarding practices to the authorities by:

Filing a police report
Contacting the Consumer Protection Agency
Submitting a complaint to the relevant government agency
Participating in consumer advocacy programs

Q: What are the next steps for consumers who have been affected by hoarding practices?

A: Consumers who have been affected by hoarding practices should:

Seek compensation for losses experienced
File a complaint with the relevant government agency
Participate in consumer education and awareness programs
Collaborate with consumer organizations to promote consumer protection

By understanding the legal protection for consumers against hoarding, consumers can take steps to protect themselves and promote fair business practices.