Jakarta – PT Tirta Investana, the producer of Aqua bottled water, has denied any wrongdoing after the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) ordered the company to pay Rp 13.84 billion (US$968,800) in fines to the state on Tuesday.

The commission also fined Aqua's distributor PT Balina Agung Perkasa (BAP) Rp 6.29 billion.

PT Tirta Investama lawyer Rikrik Rizkiyana said as reported by kompas.com that his client was disappointed by the KPPU's decision, saying that the commission did not consider facts he presented during the hearings.

KPPU's decision was based on a report by PT Tirta Fresindo Jaya (Mayora Group), the producer of bottled water brand Le Minerale, in October, 2016, which complained that Aqua and its distributor had tried to prohibit several shops from selling Le Minerale bottled water.

KPPU found that the companies had threatened to downgrade the status of several shops that sold Le Minerale bottled water from star outlet (SO) to wholesaler (WO). With the change in status, the shops would have to buy Aqua at higher prices.

Rikrik said that he and his client would study the verdict document before making an official legal response to the KPPU's decision. (bbn)

Source: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2017/12/20/aqua-denies-violation-of-business-competition-law.html