Demo At The End Of August Make Mall Visits Drop 50 Percent

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI), Alphonzus Widjaja, revealed that the number of visits to shopping centers has decreased significantly since last Friday, August 29, with a figure of around 50 percent.

This was in response to the impact of the mass actions that occurred in various regions including DKI Jakarta. Even so, APPBI emphasized that malls will continue to operate normally from 10.00 to 22.00 WIB.

"If you visit, it will definitely decrease. I think the decline in visits has occurred since last Friday. A decrease of approximately up to 50 percent," said Alphonzus when contacted by VOI, Monday, September 1.

Alphonzus added, although there had been a spike in purchases or panic buying, the condition was still under control. APPBI together with retail associations and suppliers intensified coordination every day to keep supply chains safe.

"The purchase jump is there, but it is still relatively under control. We also continue to ensure that the supply chain is maintained through coordination meetings almost every day with retail associations and suppliers," he said.

Malls Keep Operating Normally

In addition, he emphasized that the operational continuity of shopping centers cannot be stopped even though there is a mass action, because it has a strategic function as a public facility that meets the needs of the community.

"Shopping centers are public facilities. Public facilities that serve the needs of the community. So, people must be able to easily get, especially basic daily needs. So, I think that is the most important thing that must be maintained in a situation like this. Don't let people find it difficult to get basic needs," said Alphonzus.

In addition, continued Alphonzus, the existence of malls that remain open also provides a sense of security for the community in the midst of dynamic social conditions. "Shopping centers are one of the strategic public facilities so they must be able to give a safe impression. Because if the shopping center is closed, the impression is getting more and more frightening for the community. So, I think that's what should be avoided," he explained.

Despite encouraging normal operations, APPBI still emphasizes the importance of security factors. Each mall manager has the authority to adjust operations according to conditions in their respective regions, including adding security to temporarily closing if the situation is not conducive.

"For example at Atrium Senen, they decided to close because the situation there was not conducive. So each shopping center must prioritize security," concluded Alphonzus.