Hoax: Zulhas Bans Grocery Stalls Within 2 km of Kopdes Merah Putih

A Facebook post featuring a photo of Coordinating Minister for Food Zulkifli Hasan has been circulating, falsely claiming that he has prohibited kiosks or grocery stalls from operating within a 2-kilometre radius of the Kopdes Merah Putih (Village Cooperative). The post further alleged that existing shops in the area would be forced to relocate or be fined.

Based on an investigation, the photo of Zulkifli Hasan used in the post is identical to one from an Instagram upload discussing the government’s plan to centralise the distribution of various government aid, including social assistance, through the Kopdes Merah Putih. In that discussion, Zulhas explained that the government is targeting around 25,000 Kopdes Merah Putih to begin operations by August-September 2026, with the number increasing to 35,862 units by the end of the year. He also stated that the cooperatives would serve as centres for distributing government aid and subsidised programmes. During the first two years, the cooperatives will be developed and strengthened by the government before their management is handed over to village authorities.

There was no statement from Zulkifli Hasan prohibiting the establishment of kiosks or grocery stalls within a 2-kilometre radius of the Kopdes Merah Putih, nor any requirement for existing shops to relocate or pay fines. To date, there has been no official statement from Zulkifli Hasan, the Coordinating Ministry for Food, or any related government agency regarding such a ban. Therefore, the claim that Zulhas has banned grocery stalls within a 2-kilometre radius of the Kopdes Merah Putih is false.