Here’s Why Indonesia STILL WON’T Lift Its iPhone 16 Ban Despite Apple’s RM4.5 Billion Investment

We’re already in the second week of 2025, but it looks like there are still hurdles for Apple to get its iPhone 16 Series officially sold in Indonesia, following its ban last year for not fulfilling a few requirements, including investing in the country and renewing its local content requirement certification, known as TKDN.

The tech giant then proposed a USD100 million or RM446 million investment to lift the ban but was ultimately rejected by the Indonesian Government, and it looks as if the ban will finally be lifted after Apple pledged an investment into the country of a whopping USD1 billion or RM4.51 billion.

Indonesia will not lift its iPhone 16 Series despite Apple’s RM4.5 billion investment

Agus gumiwang kartasasmita

However, despite the investment agreement, Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita recently announced that the ban on the iPhone 16 Series will STILL not be lifted by the country. 

Instead, Indonesia will only allow Apple to officially sell the iPhone 16 Series in the country if the components are manufactured locally. 

According to Reuters, Agus confirmed that Indonesia and Apple had struck a deal to build a facility producing the company’s tracking device, the Apple AirTag, at Batam, which is part of the USD1 billion investment.

For illustration purposes

The ban will be lifted only if the iPhone components are manufactured in Indonesia

However, this still doesn’t fulfil the TKDN requirements, as Indonesia requires that smartphones sold in the country should comprise at least 35% locally-made parts.

The Indonesia Industry Minister asserted,

“There is no basis for the Ministry to issue TKDN as a way for Apple to have the permission to sell iPhone 16 because (the AirTag facility) has no direct relations,”

Well, given that there are no manufacturing facilities in Indonesia making components for the iPhone, for the time being, it looks like Indonesians may have to look overseas to purchase the iPhone 16 Series.

For illustration purposes

So, what do you guys think of the whole situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!

Also read: Apple Agrees to Invest RM4.51 BILLION in Indonesia to Lift Ban on the iPhone 16 Series