Nagari Mart In Padang Confirms Not Affiliated With Retailer Owned By Conglomerate Djoko Susanto, Alfamart

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The manager of the Nagari Mart minimarket, PT Nagari Minang Sakato, has denied the allegation that his party is affiliated with one of the major minimarket chains in the country, namely Alfamart.

"The accusations are baseless and made up, could be slander. Nagari Mart is owned by PT Nagari Minang Sakato. One hundred percent of the shareholders are from Pariaman men. Me and four other people. One other person is from Bukittinggi," said the President Director of PT Nagari Minang Sakato Nasirman Chan in Padang, as quoted from Antara, Wednesday 9 June.

He conveyed that PT Nagari Minang Sakato officially opened a minimarket under the name Nagari Mart carrying the concept of "Sato Sakaki".

"We already have legality and have obtained permits for the establishment of Nagari Mart, starting from the notary deed, the deed from the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, and so on," he said.

He explained that the concept of establishing Nagari Mart was community empowerment or Sato Sakaki. Not only the community, other components such as educational institutions, cooperation units, Nagari-owned enterprises, and so on can also join in the Nagari Mart.

Therefore, he was surprised by the allegation that PT Nagari was affiliated with Alfamart. retailer owned by conglomerate Djoko Susanto. Nagari Mart was established in accordance with the current development of the business world. His party also denied the allegation that some Nagari Mart employees came from Pekanbaru Alfamart.

"The truth is, our employees do internships, we train them there, learn first so they know how to serve people, communicate because this business needs public service. Is it wrong for us to train?" he said.

Meanwhile, regarding the allegation that goods in Nagari Mart were supplied from Alfamart Pekanbaru, Nasirman said there was no prohibition. The goods supplied at Nagari Mart are not only from there but also from other vendors.

"In choosing goods, as long as the price is right, there are no restrictions. We buy some from there. Some we buy from other vendors. So, from many sources," he said.

Furthermore, he also denied allegations that the existence of Nagari Mart threatens the stability and existence of all traders, especially small traders and MSMEs.

"I don't know what he's talking about. There's no research on that yet," he said

Due to accusations that Nagari Mart is affiliated with Alfamart, Nagari Mart's view in the community is disturbed. In fact, the purpose of establishing Nagari Mart is to develop the region.

He was also surprised by the rejection from traders against Nagari Mart. In fact, Nagari Mart has only been established for two months and only has two minimarkets in Padang Pariaman Regency.

As a follow-up, his party will follow further developments whether this issue will be brought to the realm of law or not.

Previously, dozens of people on behalf of the Alliance of Retailers, Wholesalers, and Markets throughout West Sumatra held a demonstration in front of the West Sumatra Governor's Office on Monday, June 7.

They demanded the West Sumatra Provincial Government to deny the existence or revoke the permit for Nagari Mart, which is suspected of being affiliated with Alfamart.

Previously, the West Sumatra Provincial Government ensured that it would remain committed to imposing a ban on the operation of Indomaret and Alfamart retailers as an effort to protect SMEs and local entrepreneurs.

"We remain consistent with the policy because this is something positive for West Sumatra," said Deputy Governor of West Sumatra Audy Joinaldy after attending the inauguration of the Nagari Mart Sungai Pisang retail, Kasang.

According to him, this policy has received a positive response from various groups outside West Sumatra and he hopes that local entrepreneurs engaged in retail will take this opportunity.

He ensured that this policy does not mean that West Sumatra is closing itself off from outside investment, but that it provides opportunities for local retail businesses to develop.