The Indonesian Textile Association (API) supports the government's move to stop importing used clothing. API Chairperson Jemmy Kartiwa Sastraatmaja said that not all imported used clothes that enter Indonesia are suitable for use. "The rest is a problem. Recycling is neither easy nor cheap. If it were easy, surely it would have been done in developed countries," Jemmy said in a press conference in Jakarta, Saturday afternoon, March 31, 2023. "Don't make Indonesia a garbage dump," he added. In addition, Jemmy assessed that the quality of used clothes would not be like the quality of virgin clothes or new clothes. Therefore, he regrets the rise of campaigns or promotions on social media, such as TikTok and Instagram, regarding the used clothing business. Usually the content is in the form of unboxing ball press imported used clothes that are ready to be sold.

"Many are promoting, do you want to be a reseller? But if you do it, it's not that beautiful," said Jemmy.

To stop the habit of buying and selling imported used clothes, Jemmy said that his party together with small and medium industries or IKM are ready to supply clothes they produce to replace used clothes that were originally sold by traders.

"SMEs are not incapable. If the market is available, they will be creative," said Jemmy.

The Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki said the government's move to stop the import of illegal used clothing was the right thing. Because according to him, this policy is able to provide a multiplier effect for the domestic clothing industry.

"We want to protect and strengthen the domestic industry. This policy will grow jobs that have been dead so far," said Teten, Friday, March 31, 2023.

Along with efforts to stop the import of used clothing, Teten wants local MSME and IKM clothing products to replace them to fill the market. After all, he said, traders can also be flexible. Likewise with market demand.

"If used clothes disappear and are filled with local products, there will definitely be purchasing power," said Teten.

Teten believes that local products can compete with imported products, both in terms of quality and price. Hence, he asked merchants not to worry. "It won't interfere with the traders' livelihood. Local producers are ready to replace the illegal used clothes," he said.