Residents Protest Pork Noodle Stall in Sukoharjo; Management Responds

A demonstration involving orations was held in front of the Al-Huda Mosque on Saturday (16/05/2026). Following the orations and communal prayers, the crowd participated in a peaceful walk around the village. Protesters carried large banners with messages such as: ‘REVOKE THE PERMIT FOR NON-HALAL STALLS HERE; DO NOT IGNORE OUR VOICES; WE ARE THE COMMON PEOPLE; WE DO NOT NEED YOUR WEALTH; WE ONLY WANT THIS ENVIRONMENT FREE FROM NON-HALAL FOOD/DRINKS’.

The local community leader (RW), Bandowi, stated that residents originally intended to protest on the main road near the ‘Pinggir Sawah’ Pork and Noodle Stall. However, the plan was altered because residents received assurances from the Sukoharjo Regency Government. “In the final hours, our voices were responded to and followed up by the Sukoharjo Regency Government. Instead of protesting on the roadside, we changed the plan to a community walk and communal prayer. Our aspiration remains to reject the non-halal stall,” Bandowi told the media on Saturday.

The manager of the ‘Tepi Sawah’ Pork and Noodle Stall, Jodi Sutanto, accompanied by his legal counsel, remained at the stall during the event. Jodi stated that he does not object to the residents’ actions. “It is the right of every citizen to conduct protests or deliver orations. However, as an entrepreneur, I do not prevent people from coming to my establishment,” said Jodi.

Meanwhile, the legal counsel for the stall, Cucuk Kustiawan, argued that his client’s business does not violate any regulations. He noted that the stall is located a significant distance from residential settlements, as it is flanked by factories and sits in front of rice fields. Regarding the assurances from the Sukoharjo Regency Government, Cucuk is awaiting the official written details. He noted that if the matter involves the revocation of permits, the authority lies with the Ministry of Investment and Downstreaming rather than the Regency Government. “That is outside our jurisdiction. However, as business actors who possess valid permits, our rights must certainly be protected. We will determine our legal steps should there be any revocation of permits or similar actions,” said Cucuk.