PDI-P Faction: No Official DPR Statement on Closing Minimarkets for Village Cooperatives

Jakarta (ANTARA) - PDI-P faction secretary in the House of Representatives (DPR), Dolfie Othniel Frederic Palit, has stated that there has been no official statement from the DPR regarding the government’s reported plan to close modern retail shops or minimarkets in favour of Merah Putih Village/Sub-district Cooperatives (KDPMP).

“There has been no official statement from the DPR Speaker regarding the issue of halting or restricting minimarket expansion in villages, as has been circulating in public discourse,” Dolfie said in a statement in Jakarta on Monday.

Dolfie’s remarks came in response to circulating reports claiming that the DPR had approved a proposal by Minister of Villages and Disadvantaged Regions Development Yandri Susanto to halt the expansion of modern retail shops in favour of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives. The reports also included a false narrative suggesting that DPR Speaker Puan Maharani had endorsed the plan.

Dolfie explained that the circulating issue was part of the dynamics of discussions during a working meeting between DPR Commission V and Minister Yandri Susanto some time ago. Commission V was said to have only provided a verbal response to the issue raised by the minister.

The meeting in question actually took place in November 2025, during which the Minister of Villages stated that the proliferation of minimarkets needed to be halted to ensure the smooth operation of Merah Putih Village Cooperatives.

“The substance that has been circulating is part of the discussion dynamics within DPR Commission V, in the context of carrying out its oversight function and absorbing public aspirations,” said Dolfie, who also serves as Deputy Chairman of DPR Commission XI.

“In fact, this has not yet become a decision of Commission V’s working meeting with the Ministry of Villages,” he continued.

Dolfie said the PDI-P faction always prioritises in-depth analysis of strategic policies affecting business interests, government programmes, and the livelihoods of the people, including the matter of closing retail shops in favour of Village Cooperatives.

“The PDI-P faction is of the view that every strategic policy that impacts business operators, village cooperatives, and the wider public must be accompanied by comprehensive, data-based analysis,” he explained.

The PDI-P faction also affirmed that such policies must be discussed thoroughly in the relevant commissions in accordance with established mechanisms.

“And must comprehensively consider regulatory, economic, social, and business sustainability aspects,” Dolfie added.