Minister Denies Plans to Close Alfamart and Indomaret Outlets in Villages, Says New Permits Will Be Stopped

Jakarta, VIVA – The Minister of Villages, Disadvantaged Regions Development, and Transmigration (Mendes PDT), Yandri Susanto, has responded to reports that his ministry plans to close modern retail outlets such as Alfamart and Indomaret operating in villages.

This concerns the issue circulating that the presence of retail franchises like Alfamart and Indomaret is feared to disrupt the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives (Kopdes).

Through a post on Instagram @yandri-susanto, he clarified that what will be stopped is the expansion of these modern retail chains, as it is feared that it will threaten businesses in the region, including the Merah Putih Kopdes.

“What is being stopped is the issuance of new permits, so that these minimarkets do not reach the villages and can kill local businesses,” as quoted from Instagram @yandri-susanto, Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

“The minimarkets that already exist, let them continue. Indomaret, Alfamart that already exist, let them continue, I never proposed that they be closed,” he said.

He affirmed that the Merah Putih Kopdes must be supported, given that 20 percent of its profits will be returned as local village revenue.

“I use the term ‘stop,’ stop the new expansion, stop the new permits. Let’s support and make the Merah Putih village cooperatives successful, cooperatives that are from the people, by the people, and for the people, with the profits, and especially for the village, at least 20 percent of the Kopdes’ profits will return as local village revenue,” said Yandri.

He emphasized that the Merah Putih Kopdes is a powerful tool to encourage economic equality in villages. Yandri ensured that the government is not cutting village funds, but rather reallocating the budget for the development of the Merah Putih Kopdes.

“I have said this everywhere, village funds are not being reduced, not being used by the central government. But what is being changed is the management, and now it is in the context of economic equality,” said Yandri.

“Therefore, the Merah Putih village cooperatives are a powerful and accurate tool in every village, to ensure that equality truly exists,” he said.