Curtailing supermarkets

Curtailing supermarkets

From Neraca

Efforts to revive the economic standards of the public has
been the focus of the media lately. The government has finally
decided to curtail supermarket businesses in small towns at
regency levels, while on-going supermarkets in the various
regions are expected to join traditional cooperatives.

I wholly support the decision to restrict big businesses in
small towns. If nothing is done about it, numerous small
businesses will eventually find themselves at a huge
disadvantage.

Every time a supermarket or department store sprouts up,
traditional markets in the surrounding area are badly affected.
It seems that government has encouraged this situation.

I suggest that the authorities draft strict regulations on
small, middle and big businesses (conglomerates). These
regulations should be clearly listed and announced to the public.
Publicity, in this case, is necessary, so that the public can
learn the regulations.

It is no longer a secret that giant companies have entered
into various business enterprises everywhere uninhibited. They
resemble octopuses, ready to devour anything (small businesses
and cooperatives) in their reach.

It is hoped that the new rule will make all parties aware of
economic octopuses. I would like to further suggest that
government be more selective when licensing is involved.

As for small businesses and cooperatives, they need to realize
that they should cooperate in staving off economic octopuses,
which should be staying clear from small regency towns anyway.

MUHAMMAD LIEM

Jakarta