Trade Minister: Some Lombok Minimarkets Resume Operations

Trade Minister Budi Santoso, also known as Busan, stated that some Alfamart and Indomaret outlets in Lombok Tengah Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), have resumed operations. Busan provided this information during a Public Hearing with Committee VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI). “Regarding minimarket retail, as mentioned, for instance in Lombok, if I’m not mistaken there were 25. However, some have now resumed operations,” Busan said at the Parliament Complex in Senayan, Jakarta, on Tuesday, 25 May 2026. Busan expressed regret that the Lombok Tengah Regional Government only recently implemented spatial planning, resulting in the closure of 25 minimarket outlets. “We also regret that these retail outlets have been operating for a long time, yet spatial planning was only implemented now,” Busan said. He has also urged the Indonesian Retail Business Association (Aprindo) to request regional governments to ensure business continuity and certainty. Regional governments must also consider the welfare of workers affected by the closures. “Moving forward, we urge regional governments to provide business certainty from the outset for all enterprises, including retail,” Busan added. The National Mandate Party (PAN) politician gave an example, stating that regional governments must be transparent in the licensing process from the beginning. The aim is to prevent situations where companies obtain permits and operate while actually violating regulations. “I stress that regulations must be transparent to business actors to avoid future issues,” Busan said. “This is what we emphasise to regional governments,” he added. Previously, 18 Alfamart and 7 Indomaret outlets in Lombok were closed by the local regency government. The outlets were deemed to have violated regulations by being established within a one-kilometre radius of traditional markets. Lombok Tengah Regency’s Investment and One-Stop Service Office Head Dalilah stated that the 25 outlets violated Article 22(2) of the Lombok Tengah Regency Local Regulation 2021. The regulation governs the management and development of traditional markets, shopping centres, and minimarkets. “Minimarkets within one kilometre of a market face administrative sanctions including written warnings, temporary suspension of business operations, and revocation of business permits,” Dalilah said during a confirmation on Thursday, 21 May 2026.