Matahari store in Jatinegara warned

Matahari store in Jatinegara warned

JAKARTA (JP): The Municipal Law and Order Office warned the management of the Matahari department store in Jatinegara Plaza, East Jakarta, yesterday that it will be closed down if it doesn't get an operation permit.

"The first warning will be followed by a second if the company fails to fulfill the requirement within a week," Kuseini Budiantoro, head of the office, told reporters yesterday.

If the second warning is not heeded, the firm will be given a third warning. If that goes unheeded, the management could be prohibited from doing business there.

Kuseini said yesterday's warning letter to PT Matahari Putra Prima, the owner of the department store, shows his office's determination to uphold the existing regulations.

Deputy Governor for Government Affairs Idroes, who was asked by reporters to comment on the operation permit violation, strongly supported the law and order office's action against the company.

"That is a good step. I have told the office to take action against any violator of the existing regulations," Idroes said.

Kuseini expressed concern over the stubbornness of the firm, which he said has ignored his office's call to process the department store's permits.

"How could such a big company, which already has a large number of branches throughout the country, violate the regulations?" he asked. "Actually it should be an example for smaller firms," he said.

Kuseini explained that his office had reminded the management to process the permits twice. The first reminder was verbal, while the second was contained in a letter.

Instead of responding to the reminders, the company opened and operated the outlet without any permits, he said.

PT Matahari opened its Jatinegara Plaza store earlier this month.

The developer of the plaza is also reportedly violating regulations by operating the building without the permits required by the city administration.

The East Jakarta development and supervision office has said the permits for the operation of the building are currently being processed.

Traders of the traditional market adjacent to the plaza are complaining that the opening of the businesses in the shopping center has caused them to lose many customers. (yns)