JAKARTA - The firm call to stop the expansion of modern retail or minimarket businesses, such as Alfamart and Indomaret, emerged in parliament. This marks the state's demand to side with village cooperatives and small people's economies.
Minister of Villages and Regional Development (Mendes PDT) Yandri Susanto made a strong statement about the future of the village economy. He emphasized that if the Red and White Village Cooperative (kopdes Meah Putih) is already running, the government must stop granting modern retail permits or minimarkets such as Alfamart and Indomaret.
This statement was delivered by Mendes Yandri in a working meeting with Commission V of the DPR on November 21, 2025, and was rewritten again on Sunday, February 22.
According to Yandri, the expansion of modern retail has created inequalities that threaten the economic independence of villages. "What are we building kopdes for, but Alfamart and Indomaret continue to run rampant. That means it's not fair," he said.
He assessed that the dominance of more than 20,000 modern retail outlets reflects too much economic power and the potential for monopoly.
Yandri emphasized that the government's bias must be real, not just a slogan. If kopdes is promoted as the backbone of the village economy, then the modern retail licensing policy must be corrected.
"The road, Alfamart and Indomaret Kopdes are enough to get there," he said bluntly in front of members of the DPR.
This firm attitude received a response from the Chairman of Commission V of the DPR, Lasarus. He assessed that although village funds and infrastructure had been poured in massively, village poverty was still high and the shift was slow. According to him, the main problem is not only the budget, but the economic opportunities that have not been widely open to the village community.
Lazarus highlighted human resources, capital, and power as key variables that determine the success of villages.
"Therefore, I hope, Mr. Minister, there must be a roadmap to stop Indomaret and Alfamart," he said.
He also reminded that this policy would trigger strong resistance from large business actors. However, Lazarus emphasized that collaboration between the government and the DPR must be solid to face that pressure for the sake of the interests of rural people.
"How the government takes that policy (the termination of Alfamart and Indomaret), I am sure the minister will face a not easy challenge outside," he concluded.
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