Starting an Indonesian Publishing Company

5 min readLast Updated: August 5, 2024

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Senior Consultant Rachel at Paul Hype Page Indonesia

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How to Start a Publishing Company in Indonesia

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world with a population of over 260 million. Of this population, the majority are 24 years old or younger. Therefore, it could be very lucrative for one to start a publishing company in Indonesia because there would be a great many customers who are students.

This is because students would require published material for their studies. For this reason, Indonesia is an extremely suitable country for a prospective business owner to start a publishing company.

This fact is reflected in the high value of the country’s publishing industry. According to the latest statistics, the net annual revenue of the publishing industry in Indonesia is approximately US$466 million.

Furthermore, the country’s economy has seen a tremendous amount of evolution over recent years which has served to make it one of the world’s primary beneficiaries of global economic modernization and development.

Publishing is one of the most developed sectors of the economy of Indonesia. Many people all over the country have taken an interest in the publishing of their documents for a variety of reasons. Therefore, those who choose to start a publishing business in Indonesia and run it suitably will find much success in that business venture.

Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)

The establishment of a publishing company in Indonesia is open to everyone. This means that any interested foreign business owners who are willing to set up such a company in the country may do so in the same way as any local.

Before starting the company, a foreign business owner is expected to first obtain permission from the Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM).

This is a critical step because the BKPM oversees all business activities, including those of publishing companies, which take place in Indonesia.

About the establishment of a publisher or any other company in Indonesia, we at Paul Hype Page & Co can meet all of your needs. Our incorporation experts will work with you so that your new Indonesia-based company will be established according to the laws of the country. We will also see to it that all of your regulatory compliance matters are fully managed before your company commences its business operations.

Registering a Publishing Company in Indonesia

Once a business owner has decided to start a publishing company in Indonesia, the next step to be taken is that of depositing the required amount of share capital in the bank which contains the corporate bank account of the business owner. The business owner must then obtain the company’s incorporation documents and have them drafted and filled appropriately. At this point, the business owner must decide on what published material will be produced by the publishing company. Digital publishing company owners may publish online content, electronic media, and CDs.

Authorities Overseeing Publishing Companies in Indonesia

There are two primary authorities which oversee publishing companies in Indonesia; one is an international body while the other is a local body. The international body is the International Publishers Association.

The Indonesian Publishers Association is a member of this international body which is the world’s largest federation of publishing associations. The International Publishers Association protects the freedom to publish in every country in which it has a presence, including Indonesia.

The local body which oversees publishing companies in Indonesia is the National Press Council. The National Press Council is tasked with the responsibility of regulation of the publishing industry in Indonesia. It was originally established to assist the government of Indonesia with the development of the press as well as the publishing industry of Indonesia.

Laws Governing Publishing Companies in Indonesia

The laws in Indonesia which govern publishing companies find their sources from a combination of customary and colonial-era laws. These laws ensure that new publishing businesses avoid printing prohibited documents and infringing on others’ rights.

There are several laws which govern the publishing companies of Indonesia. Publishing companies must follow these laws to avoid severe penalties.

Among the most important laws which are related to the publishing companies of Indonesia are the Social Media Law, the Press Principal Provisions, the Independence of the Press Law, and the National Press Law. Companies involved in digital publishing must also adhere to the specifications stated in the Cybercrime Law.

The Press Principal Provisions are the oldest publishing laws in Indonesia. The Press Principal Provisions came into force in 1966. It is also worth mentioning that Indonesia is the first country in the world to have a law which governs the publishing of content on social media channels.

Legal Requirements and Compliance for Publishing Companies in Indonesia

There are also publishing laws related to the licenses which must be possessed by any publishing company based in Indonesia. The primary reason behind the obtaining of a license is to allow the authorities to be able to monitor the business activities of the company, thus ensuring that it is not in violation of any other laws. Every publishing company based in Indonesia is required to have its copyright.

Indonesian publishing companies must ensure they do not illegally use others’ copyrights for their products. Such an act is illegal; those found guilty will be at risk of fines or imprisonment.

Producing illegal documents risks license revocation and sanctions from government and media authorities for publishing companies.

Digital Publishing Regulations and National Security Obligations in Indonesia

Digital publishing companies must also be certain that they do not commit any crimes related to digital media. Indonesian laws punish crimes like cyberbullying and publishing false news.

Publishing sensitive government information abroad risks national security, so Indonesian companies are prohibited from doing so.

This law ensures that only the Indonesian government and authorized individuals access confidential information.

In Indonesia, publishing companies must follow all laws; compliance leads to business success and increased profits.

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FAQs

Are foreigners allowed to start a publishing company in Indonesia?2020-04-02T16:50:57+08:00

Foreigners are allowed to start a publishing company in Indonesia as long as they have acquired the necessary licenses and the work permit which will allow them to work in Indonesia. 

Why has the publishing industry in Indonesia grown rapidly?2020-04-02T16:50:08+08:00

The abundance of printed materials and the growth of the publishing industry in Indonesia can primarily be credited to the relative lack of limitations in the establishment of an outlet for printing. Much of the growth of the publishing industry in Indonesia has been driven by an increased demand for newspapers as well as advertorial material. For this reason, it is now more advantageous than ever before for one to start a publishing company in Indonesia. 

Is there much English-language published material in Indonesia?2020-04-02T16:49:05+08:00

As is to be expected, Indonesian is the official language of the country. However, many Indonesians are also fluent in English. There are almost 25 million people who are able to speak English in Indonesia today. Therefore, there is a market for published material in English; for this reason, there is a considerable amount of published material originating from Indonesia which is in English. 

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Senior Consultant Rachel at Paul Hype Page Indonesia

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