Lasarus: House Commission V Never Requested Alfamart and Indomaret Closures
Jakarta, VIVA – The Chairman of House of Representatives Commission V, Lasarus, has affirmed that the DPR never issued a statement supporting the closure of Alfamart and Indomaret across Indonesia. He described reports claiming the DPR backed such closures as hoaxes and tendentious.
“I wish to convey, and it can be verified through the recording of the meeting between House Commission V and the Minister for Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Development, that there was no statement from us requesting the closure of Alfamart and Indomaret. We will attach the meeting conclusions as official documentary evidence of the meeting’s decisions,” Lasarus told reporters in Jakarta on Monday, 23 February 2026.
His statement was in response to information circulating on Instagram by irresponsible parties. The Instagram post displayed a photograph of House Speaker Puan Maharani, creating the impression that she had issued a statement in which the DPR gave its support for the closure of Alfamart and Indomaret.
“The Instagram post featured Ibu Puan Maharani, the House Speaker whom I greatly admire and respect. I, Lasarus S.Sos. M.Si, hereby declare that the person who made the statement regarding the spread of Alfamart and Indomaret was myself, not Ibu Puan Maharani,” Lasarus explained.
Lasarus stressed that those spreading the hoax via Instagram had ulterior motives and were acting irresponsibly.
“Once again, I wish to convey that the Instagram post circulating with a photograph of House Speaker Ibu Puan Maharani bearing the caption ‘DPR SUPPORTS VILLAGE MINISTER IN CLOSING ALFAMART-INDOMARET FOR THE SAKE OF VILLAGE COOPERATIVES’ is a HOAX and tendentious,” Lasarus stated firmly.
Lasarus explained that his original remarks were based on complaints from the public, particularly small grocery shop owners who had been forced to close because they could not compete with conglomerates expanding their businesses into the most remote villages and hamlets across Indonesia.
On that basis, Lasarus proposed that Alfamart and Indomaret outlets should be limited to the district and sub-district levels. The aim would be to sustain the village economy and provide opportunities for basic goods traders in villages and hamlets, as well as BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) and village cooperatives to thrive.
“I proposed that Alfamart and Indomaret should only operate down to the district and sub-district levels, with the thinking that the supply chain for basic necessities in villages and hamlets should be left to basic goods traders, BUMDes, and village cooperatives. The recording can be viewed openly on the DPR’s official news page,” Lasarus affirmed.