Indomaret's existence questioned<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has questioned the
\nexistence of \"Indomaret\" minimarkets due to their inappropriate
\nlocations, as they are mostly found in housing complexes.<\/p>\n
Head of the City Economy Development Office, Dameria Saragih,
\nsaid on Thursday that her officials, along with the other
\nagencies which had issued the necessary permits for the
\nminimarkets, were evaluating the case.<\/p>\n
\"If we find any violations of the regulations, we will close
\nthem down,\" said Dameria on the sidelines of a City Council
\nplenary session on the establishment of subdistrict councils.<\/p>\n
Currently, most Indomaret minimarkets are managed through a
\nfranchise scheme by residents in housing complexes. There have
\nbeen 269 Indomaret outlets opened in Jakarta and 227 others in
\nSurabaya, East Java, and Bandung, West Java, since 1988.<\/p>\n
Each outlet, with an average width of between 60 and 200
\nsquare meters, supplies communities with basic needs from 10 a.m.
\nto 10 p.m. everyday.<\/p>\n
However, there has been speculation that most of them have yet
\nto obtain a building utilization permit (IPB), authorizing a
\nchange of use from a residence to a commercial premises.<\/p>\n
\"I will also check on Indomaret's building permits with the
\nCity Development Supervisory Agency, which should have issued the
\nnecessary permits,\" Dameria said.<\/p>\n
Separately, city councilor Sambudi Bakri of the National
\nMandate Party (PAN) said that the Indomaret minimarkets could
\nspell the death knell for traditional markets and small-scale
\nbusinesses in housing complexes.<\/p>\n
\"It indicates a monopoly which must be eliminated,\" Sambudi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said the city council would summon the Indomaret franchise
\nholder, PT Indomarco Prismatama, next week.<\/p>\n
He also questioned the principal licenses required to operate
\nthe businesses and their expansion permits, which must be renewed
\nevery five years.<\/p>\n
Gubernatorial Decree No. 50 of 1999 stipulates that every
\nprivately run market measuring less than 200 square meters must
\nobtain a basic license from the City Secretary.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the minimarket must obtain a business permit from
\nthe Jakarta office of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and a
\nsecurity permit from the City Public Order office.<\/p>\n
Contacted separately, Indah Suksmaningsih of the Indonesian
\nConsumers' Foundation (YLKI) said that retail outlets like
\nminimarkets have attracted customers due to ease of access, a
\ngreater choice of products and relatively cheaper prices.<\/p>\n
Air-conditioned premises, fixed prices and better services
\nhave given minimarkets their own place in the life of Jakartans
\nwho are too busy to go to nearby traditional markets early in the
\nmorning.<\/p>\n
\"However, there is a tradition in our society to bargain and
\nto purchase (in traditional markets) specific items that can't be
\nfound in minimarkets, such as fresh vegetables and spices,\" Indah
\nsaid. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indomarets-existence-questioned-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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