Lombok Tengah DPRD backs enforcement of modern retail regulations

Lombok Tengah – The Lombok Tengah Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) has supported the local government’s efforts to enforce regional regulations on modern retailers violating local laws.

Ferdian Elmansyah, Chair of Commission II of the DPRD, stated on Tuesday: ‘We support the enforcement of this regulation.’ He added that the retailers were non-compliant, leading to closures, and solutions for potential job losses should come from management or the local government. ‘We urge the local government to coordinate with the retailers’ management,’ he said, noting that the government has proposed business model adjustments and internal staff transfers to avoid layoffs.

Previously, the Lombok Tengah Regency Government confirmed the closures were due to regulatory breaches and aimed at strengthening local economic growth and community welfare. Dalilah, Head of the Lombok Tengah Investment and One-Stop Service Agency (DPMPTSP), said 25 modern retailers had voluntarily closed within the given deadline.

She explained that Regional Regulation No. 7 of 2021 on Public Markets, Shopping Centres, and Supermarkets was established to support community economic growth and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). The crackdown is expected to strengthen the local economy and MSMEs, while not disrupting retail investments, as the closures were due to regulatory breaches.

‘The closures are unrelated to Merah Putih Village Cooperative,’ she added, noting the retailers were established before the regulation was enacted, allowing time for adjustments. ‘The closed retailers were shut down for being too close to traditional markets or non-compliant with the regulation,’ she said.