Chairman Of The Madura Basic Food Shop Association Hopes For Access To Ease Of Banking

Illustration - Warung Madura (DOK VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (Menkop UKM) Teten Masduki emphasized that there is no prohibition for Madura stalls and grocery stores to open 24 hours. This was conveyed in response to the issue that had circulated that Madura stalls in Klungkung, Bali, were not allowed to open for 24 hours. "Policies, plans or anything from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs to limit shop hours or public-owned grocery stores, do not exist," said Coordinating Minister for SMEs Teten in a press conference at his office, Tuesday, April 30. Teten said that his party had also checked Regional Regulation (Perda) Number 13 of 2018 concerning the Arrangement and Development of People's Markets, Shopping Centers and Supermarkets, which is said to regulate restrictions on the operating hours of Madura stalls. According to him, his party had checked the regulation and found that the regional regulation specifically regulates modern retail operating hours, not Madura stalls and people's stalls. "So, we will also ensure that all regional regulations, both at the provincial and district/city levels, must side with MSMEs," he said. Responding to this, the Chairman of the Madura Cak Hamied Food Shop Association welcomed the government's decision to allow Madura stalls and grocery stores to open 24 hours. However, he also hopes that the government will provide guidance and provide easy access to banks so that Madura stalls can grow bigger. "Yes, I appreciate that, but I hope it's not only the green light to open 24 hours, but more than that, I hope there will be guidance, assistance including access and easy access to banks - so that Madura stalls grow bigger and faster," he explained to VOI, Wednesday, May 1. According to Cak Hamied, yesterday's case really made a lot of noise and it is hoped that it can be a lesson for the government not to make statements or policies that make MSMEs panic. "The point is that the government must focus more on helping the small people, micro and MSME business owners, not taking sides with conglomerates," he said. According to Cak Hamied Warung Madura as part of micro-enterprises should be protected and fostered by the government, not even want to be suppressed. Cak Hamied conveyed that the reason behind the operating hours of Madura stalls for 24 hours is one of the sales strategies implemented by Madura stalls throughout Indonesia. "Regarding opening 24 hours, it is part of a sales strategy and how intelligence captures market needs. At these hours there are still shopping," he said. According to Cak Hamied, with the operating hours of Madura stalls for 24 hours, many customers feel helped because they can still find their necessities in the middle of the night. Cak Hamied emphasized to parties who feel competitive, especially minimarkets, to compete in a healthy manner and be able to follow the operating hours of Madura stalls.

"If there are entrepreneurs, especially minimarkets that incidentally belong to the capital and bOBBiris who feel competitive or disturbed by the presence of small stalls owned by the small people, this is very strange if they use the hand of power in the same class as the ministry of cooperatives. Should they dare to compete fairly, just open 24 hours like Madura's shop if you want?" he said.