Firm Stance! Bulog Chief Rebukes Traders Reluctant to Handle Requirements for Selling Minyakita

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Bulog’s President Director, Ahmad Rizal Ramdhani, has assured that the process of selling Minyakita at the trader level is not difficult. However, there is a primary requirement that often becomes a barrier, namely possession of a Business Identification Number (NIB).

Rizal explained that Bulog has actually opened wide opportunities for traders to become Minyakita retailers. However, many traders are still reluctant to apply for an NIB due to various concerns.

“Oh no, we’ve already provided the space. Actually, it’s not difficult, but these traders, with apologies, don’t want to register their NIB,” said Rizal when met at Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, on Tuesday (14/3/2026).

He emphasised that the NIB is the main requirement in accordance with government regulations to become an official retailer of the people’s cooking oil brand Minyakita. However, in the field, there is a mistaken assumption that having an NIB will immediately result in taxation.

“This is what becomes… So the requirement to become a Minyakita retailer is to have an NIB. Now, if they have an NIB, they’re afraid, saying that entering the NIB means getting taxed, something like that. But it’s not,” he stated.

He assessed that such concerns are unfounded because the scale of market traders’ businesses is relatively small. Moreover, the government has provided conveniences in the NIB application process, namely by waiving the application fee.

“After all, the funds they manage aren’t that large in these retail markets. And be assured by the trade department that now there’s ease in registering the NIB. This might need more socialisation to the retailers. So there’s no misinformation like that. The NIB is free; it just needs to be socialised,” he explained.

Rizal stressed that Bulog continues to open the widest possible opportunities for traders, as long as the administrative requirements are met.

“So the point is, we’re opening as much space as possible, but in accordance with the Minyakita requirements given by the Trade Ministerial Regulation, which is to have an NIB. So what? So that it’s recorded who is absorbing the Minyakita, so it’s not wild like that,” said Rizal.

He further emphasised that the requirements to become a Minyakita retailer are relatively simple.

“Just the NIB, and the shop’s business licence name. Maju Bersama, Toko Maju Bersama has its licence. That’s it, just the NIB,” he asserted.

Traders Speak Out

Meanwhile, several traders supported Rizal’s statement. Ratno, one of the grocery traders, said that ordering Minyakita from Bulog is not complicated as long as the requirements are met.

“It’s easy. Just place the order,” said Ratno when met separately.

According to him, the obstacles that arise are more due to some traders not yet having an NIB.

“Oh, maybe sometimes there’s an issue where they don’t want to handle the NIB. The important thing is to have the NIB and the shop. Once that’s done, it’s easy; just place the order,” he said.

The same sentiment was expressed by another trader, Rudi. He stressed that the application process is not difficult if the documents are complete.

“No, but it has to be complete. All documents must be complete. As long as the documents are complete, it’s all easy. Easy,” said Rudi.

He then assessed that the perception of difficulty is more caused by incomplete administration.

“It’s not difficult. Maybe they have some documents missing. The NIB is one of them,” he said.

Rudi added that handling the NIB is actually easy and free, but there are still concerns about taxes.

“The NIB is free at the kelurahan. Yes, free. Maybe they’re scared of being billed for taxes; maybe that’s their fear,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the government has also encouraged the acceleration of traders’ legalisation. The Ministry of Trade has issued Circular Letter of the Director General of Domestic Trade Number 3 of 2026 to local governments.

The circular, dated 13 March 2026, requests local governments to provide assistance and facilitation in handling NIBs. This step is aimed at accelerating the distribution of Minyakita while ensuring that retailers have business legality.

In addition, the regulation also governs the assistance mechanism so that traders can more easily obtain business permits, thereby enabling them to participate in the official and recorded distribution of Minyakita in people’s markets.