Artikel

Opini

Tug of War on Excise on Sweetened Drinks

The postponement of the imposition of MBDK excise rates certainly disappoints health practitioners. Even though the plan to impose excise on MBDK is a progressive policy, it is believed that it will be effective in controlling the consumption of sweet drinks. Suddenly the government again postponed the implementation of excise on sweetened drinks in packaging or MBDK. The policy intended to control the increase in the number of people suffering from obesity and diabetes has been postponed until next year. That is, if it is not postponed again. Actually, through Presidential Regulation Number 130 of 2022 regarding the Details of the State Budget for the 2023 Fiscal Year, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has instructed the Ministry of Finance to implement excise taxes on MBDK products starting this year.

The Nobel Prize and Our Minimal Research Budget

The complaints of our academics and researchers are that they are often bothered with administrative matters rather than the substance of their research. Recently the winners of the 2023 Nobel prize were announced. Jon Fosse won the Nobel for literature; Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman for medicine; Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, and Anne L’Huillier for physics; Moungi G Bawendi, Louis E Brus, and Alexei I Ekimov for chemistry; and Narges Mohammadi for peace. The announcement of this year's Nobel Prize coincides with the news of the failure of the Indonesian badminton team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. This nationally beloved sports team has been unable to win even a single medal, not even bronze.

Hadiah Nobel dan Minimnya Anggaran Riset Kita

Keluhan para akademisi dan periset kita, selama ini sering direpotkan urusan administrasi daripada substansi risetnya. Belum lama ini diumumkan para pemenang hadiah Nobel 2023. Jon Fosse memenangi Nobel untuk sastra; Katalin Kariko dan Drew Weissman untuk kedokteran; Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz, dan Anne L’Huillier untuk fisika; Moungi G Bawendi, Louis E Brus, dan Alexei I Ekimov untuk kimia; dan Narges Mohammadi untuk perdamaian. Pengumuman hadiah Nobel tahun ini bersamaan waktunya dengan berita gagalnya tim bulu tangkis Indonesia di Asian Games, Hangzhou. Tim cabang olahraga kebanggaan Indonesia selama puluhan tahun ini gagal total meraih medali sekeping pun, bahkan sekadar perunggu.

Tarik Ulur Cukai Minuman Berpemanis

Ditundanya pengenaan tarif cukai MBDK tentu mengecewakan kalangan praktisi kesehatan. Padahal rencana pengenaan cukai pada MBDK adalah kebijakan yang progresif, diyakini akan efektif mengendalikan konsumsi minuman manis. Tiba-tiba pemerintah kembali menunda penerapan cukai minuman berpemanis dalam kemasan atau MBDK. Kebijakan yang dimaksudkan untuk mengendalikan kenaikan jumlah penderita obesitas dan diabetes ini diundur implementasinya menjadi tahun depan. Itu pun jika tidak diundur lagi. Sebenarnya, lewat Peraturan Presiden Nomor 130 Tahun 2022 tentang Rincian APBN Tahun Anggaran 2023, Presiden Joko Widodo (Jokowi) sudah menginstruksikan Kementerian Keuangan agar menerapkan cukai produk MBDK mulai tahun ini. Namun, Kemenkeu meminta diundur sampai tahun depan.

Towards Quality Generation 2045

The demographic bonus is an important capital for Indonesia to become a developed country in 2045. However, the threat of climate change, as well as geopolitical problems, need attention so that the dream of becoming a developed country can be realized. This August, we are once again commemorating the independence of our country proclaimed by Soekarno and Mohammad Hatta in 1945. What have we achieved at the age of 78? A number of data can be disclosed, both those that have been achieved and those that have not yet been achieved. Usually, in points that have failed or not succeeded yet, we will justify it by saying, "we will make it a lesson". However, there is something no less important than evaluating what has happened, which is what we intend to target when we reach the age of 100 later?