Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs Ensure Madura Stalls Are Not Prohibited from Opening 24 Hours

The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs emphasized that it does not prohibit Madura stalls from operating 24 hours, on the contrary it will protect them.

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

Residents shop at Madura stall "Barokah" which is in the North Grogol area, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Thursday (10/11/2022).

MALANG, KOMPAS — The Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises confirmed that Madura stalls can operate 24 hours. The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs will even protect micro, small and medium enterprises from the threat of expansive modern retail, while inviting the public to shop at stalls owned by UMKM.

Secretary of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Arif Rahman Hakim, said he had reviewed Klungkung Regency Regional Regulation Number 13 of 2018 concerning the Arrangement and Development of People's Markets, Shopping Centers and Supermarkets. He concluded that there were no regulations specifically prohibiting Madura stalls from operating 24 hours.

"In this regional regulation, regulations regarding operating hours actually apply to modern retail businesses, minimarkets, hypermarkets, department stores and supermarkets, with certain operating hours restrictions," said Arif in his official statement, Saturday (27/4/2024).

We will soon request further clarification from the local government regarding the regulation of operational hour restrictions that are currently being implemented in the community.

"We will also evaluate regional policies that are counterproductive to the interests of SMEs, including evaluating programs and local government budgets to support SMEs," said Arif.

Also read: 24 Hour Warung amidst Pressure to Restrict Opening Hours

KOMPAS/DWI BAYU RADIUS

Ari Wahyudi (right) serves customers at a Madura-style stall that has stood for more than five years in Sawangan, Depok, West Java, on Wednesday (9/11/2022).

We will also evaluate regional policies that are counterproductive to the interests of SMEs, including evaluating local government programs and budgets to support SMEs.

Arif also denies any bias from the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises towards minimarkets or other large businesses. In fact, he emphasizes that the Ministry will protect small and medium enterprises from the threat of expansive modern retailers, while also encouraging the public to shop at small businesses owned by SMEs.

"In principle, we continue to strive to provide various conveniences, protection, and empowerment for SME actors. This is also reflected in Government Regulation Number 7 of 2021," said Arif.

One of the mandates in the Presidential Regulation, according to Arif, is that every ministry/agency and local government provides legal assistance and support services to UMKM actors which include legal outreach, legal consultation, mediation, and legal document preparation.

"Legal aid and assistance services can be accessed by MSMEs who feel disadvantaged," said Arif.

Also read: Madura Grocery Stall Fight

KOMPAS/DAHLIA IRAWATI

One of the 24-hour Madura food stalls opens at the gathering center of Sudimoro's coffee shops in Malang City, East Java. Photographed on Thursday (26/4/2024).

Responding to this, the Chairman of the Central Leadership Council of the Madura Family Association (Ikama), Muhammad Rawi, expressed gratitude if there is indeed no ban on Maduranese food stalls operating 24 hours. "If there is no ban, we are grateful. Indeed, the Maduranese food business actors must be developed and guided, as MSMEs, and then directed to comply with standard regulations at the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs in their respective regions," said Rawi.

Secondly, according to Rawi, the presence of Madura stalls has actually opened job opportunities in certain regions, so if utilized, it will bring significant benefits. "Because they are self-reliant and do not burden the country. They create job opportunities. And they can also become partners with law enforcement officials and others," said Rawi.

That is why he hopes that the state will be present and willing to develop Madura food stall business actors. Not the other way around, destroy.

"We are here to provide solutions to the community, where many shopping centers are closed, we provide what people need. We need to be embraced and nurtured, not destroyed. Moreover, we are actually helping people who need to search for goods when all shopping centers are closed," said Rawi.

KOMPAS/DWI BAYU RADIUS

Several motorcyclists passed by a shop owned by Abdul Hamied (44) in Depok, West Java, on Tuesday (7/2/2023).

Chairman of Ikama Istimewa Madura Raya, Mohammad Kholifi Aziz added that with this incident, it is hoped that good communication will be established and the government will truly be present and foster Madurese food stalls.

"At first, following this incident, Madura residents were pressing for a protest in Jakarta. However, since a statement from the ministry has been released that there will be no ban on being open 24 hours, we may now hope for an audience with the minister or relevant authorities who have policies. In essence, we want to build good communication and ask the government to be present in helping the Madura community. With government guidance and support, we hope that the Madura community will continue to improve and develop in the future," he said.

Both Rawi and Kholifi hope that the government does not "destroy" Madura food stall entrepreneurs, but instead supports them. According to Rawi, there are three benefits to be gained by opening Madura food stalls for 24 hours. "First, economic impact. We also shop and pay taxes according to regulations. Although our shopping is not directly large, when we fill up our stalls, it means that we also pay taxes," said Rawi.

Also read: Local Herbals Mainstay of Madurese Herbal Craftsmen

KOMPAS/RADITYA HELABUMI (RAD)

Warung Madura "Barokah" which is in the North Grogol area, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Thursday (10/11/2022).

The second benefit, according to Rawi, is that the existence of 24-hour Madura stalls can have a social impact. "By keeping our stalls open 24/7, we also contribute to maintaining security," he said.

As for the third benefit, warungs can be turned into information centers. For government officials, the presence of 24-hour warungs can be utilized as centers for information on various issues related to criminal activity, terrorism, or other matters.

We open the shop 24 hours and we also help maintain the security situation.

Previously, objections to operating hours arose from Bali. The reason was that 24-hour convenience store businesses were considered prone to causing social friction, and even vulnerable to criminal activities. The Denpasar City Civil Service Police Unit urged convenience store operators to also limit their store hours.

The Head of the Denpasar City Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), Anak Agung Ngurah Bawa Nendra, stated that Satpol PP has the authority to enforce local regulations, provide community protection, and maintain public order and security according to its duties. Regarding the operational hours of convenience stores that are open 24 hours a day, Bawa Nendra stated that Satpol PP, as a local government apparatus, is tasked with maintaining public order and security by preventing potential vulnerabilities and social interaction among communities.

Regarding the operational hours of trading businesses, the regulation states that the operating hours of shopping centers and supermarkets are limited until 9:00 pm WITA or until 10:00 pm WITA on Saturdays and Sundays. "As for small convenience stores, they have not yet been included in the regional regulations or the regulations of the Mayor of Denpasar," said Bawa Nendra.

KOMPAS/DWI BAYU RADIUS

Father and son chat while waiting at a Madura stall in Sawangan, Depok, West Java, Wednesday (9/11/2022).

Prohibiting business is actually not good because stalls are also one of the economic drivers.

Head of Klungkung Regency Satpol PP I Dewa Putu Suwarbawa conveyed the same thing as Bawa Nendra. According to Suwarbawa, Klungkung Regency Regional Regulation Number 13 of 2018 concerning the Arrangement and Development of People's Markets, Shopping Centers and Supermarkets only requires the working hours of minimarkets, hypermarkets, department stores and Supermarkets are limited to 22.00 WIT Monday to Friday or until 23.00 WITA on Saturday and Sunday.

"Meanwhile, small shops and similar establishments are not yet regulated in the Klungkung Regional Regulation. Only the existence of small roadside shops, which are open 24 hours a day and managed by migrant residents, poses a social vulnerability. The emergence of social friction needs to be prevented by limiting the opening hours of these small roadside shops," said Suwarbawa.

Also read: The Story of Migrants, This is the Madurese Way!

According to Bali economist, who is also a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at the National Education University (Undiknas) in Denpasar, Ida Bagus Raka Suardana, the presence of small convenience stores (warung kelontong) in Bali must be recorded as these stores are part of the potential people's economy, which has an impact on the local economy. The recording of small convenience stores is similar to the recording of micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM).

"Forbidding business is actually not good because stalls are also an economic driver," said Raka.