Jakarta. Indonesian moms are split on the government’s plan to impose an excise tax on single-use diapers. 

Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa recently inked a regulation that proposed the excise tax on single-use diapers and wet tissues to boost revenue. Ayu, a mother, admitted Wednesday that she would not mind if the government forged ahead with the plan, as long as the product’s quality improves.

“I don’t have problems with it, but as long as there is an improvement in the quality. If the diaper is slightly more expensive but it doesn’t irritate my child’s skin, I wouldn’t mind,” Ayu said in Jakarta.

According to Ayu, single-use diapers have remained the most convenient option to date. She, however, admitted that she could spend between Rp 500,000 and Rp 700,000 ($30-$41) a week for a pack of 48 sheets of diapers. 

East Jakartan Yuni disapproves of the plan, saying that it will only add more pressure on the young families who are already spending a fortune on other needs. She added: “If diapers cost too much, it will only become a burden on the people.”

Yuni admitted that single-use diapers would burden the environment. A parent has to change their babies' diapers three times a day. “But then again, we have no choice but to use diapers. Maybe alternatives like cloth diapers that are washable and reusable can be a more environmentally friendly solution. They should be more affordable, too,” she said.

Indonesia collected Rp 163.3 trillion (around $9.8 billion) in excise so far this year as of September, the government reported. This is equivalent to around 66.9 percent of the 2025 full-year target. 

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