'Made in China is cheap'

One should be careful when walking the corridors of South Jakarta's Pasar Minggu building where piles of goods are precariously placed. Most traders here sell household goods and utensils, like brooms, frying pans and cookie molds. Some offer various electronic goods, such as TV sets, fans, dispensers and rice cookers, while others sell food and beverages as well as garments and fabrics.

When Tempo visited an electronic shop, Suratno, the shop assistant approached and asked, "What do you need? These are all new models, made in China and cheap." We pointed to a South Korean LG brand air conditioner and he responded that the product cost Rp3 million. But, he added, if we wanted a cheaper one of fairly good quality, he had the Midea brand from China, costing only Rp2.5 million.

September 22, 2015