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The paper aims to describe the challenges faced by a developing country (case of Indonesia) in the effort to improve the quality of national construction industry through “certification” requirement for professionals and skilled labors. It also aims to identify root problems and propose a recommendation for rethinking the “certification” systems. Indonesia's experiences can be regarded as lessons learned by other developing countries struggling to strengthen their construction industries.

The study is based on an exploratory study including a focus group discussion with stakeholders representing the various professional associations, construction company associations (contractors and consultants), the Ministry of Manpower, and the Ministry of Public Works. An analysis based on the findings about implementation issues of “certification” requirement resulted in the identification of the root problems and the recommendation for restructuring the system.

The paper provides empirical insights about how “certification” requirement for all professionals and skilled labors have been implemented in a developing country. Although the requirement seemed to be tactical, it resulted in a circumstance in which there are numerous types of highly specialized certificates/licenses. The mechanism in the administration of these licenses has been problematic because of institutional issues, i.e. the extensive authority of the Construction Services Development Board and the inadequate controls from the government.

The recommendations may lack details and practicality, while the recommendation for rethinking and restructuring requires changes of fundamental conceptions in all stakeholders.

The paper includes recommendations for the development of Indonesia's construction industry. The recommendations include the distinction between voluntary and mandatory certificates, putting more authority back to the government in the administration of the mandatory certificates/licenses, and the establishment of an independent licensing board. Other developing countries can learn from Indonesia's experience.

This paper fulfils an identified need to rethink the certification/licensing system.

This research intended the utilization of Javanese turmeric (0.4% w/v) as a kombucha substrate and analysis of its hepatoprotective activity, in comparison against nonfermented Javanese turmeric beverage (JTB) and black tea kombucha.

Forty-two healthy male Balb/c mice (two- to three-week-old, 20–30 g) were divided into six groups with seven replicates each. The treatments were normal diet, normal diet + Javanese turmeric kombucha (JTK), normal diet + diethylnitrosamine (DEN), DEN + JTB, DEN + JTK, DEN + black tea kombucha. Kombuchas and JTB were given at 0.3 mL/20 g BW/d. DEN was induced intraperitoneally at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Observed biomarkers were blood serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) activity, serum malonaldehyde (MDA), as well as liver histology. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance.

Among DEN-induced groups, JTK significantly (p < 0.05) diminished the level of blood SGPT, SGOT and serum MDA. JTK also had lower blood SGPT (8.604 ± 2.195 U/L) and serum MDA levels (2.884 ± 0.083 nM/mL) compared to the normal group (8.604 ± 2.195 U/L and 5.050 ± 0.998 nM/mL, respectively). JTK also produced the least damaged liver-cell numbers.

JTK demonstrated better hepatoprotective activity compared to JTB.