TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) Chairman Roy Nicolas Mandey was unable to hide his disappointment toward state-owned electricity company PLN for the massive blackout on Sunday, August 4, 2019, that struck areas in the Jakarta Greater Area (Jabodetabek), West Java, and Banten.

Roy predicted that the financial losses endured by Aprindo members caused because of the power outage reached up to IDR 200 billion across 82 shopping centers and 2,500 modern retail stores in Jakarta.

"PLN should have given a preliminary announcement to business entities to help them prepare ways to better-serve the rights of the consumers," said Roy in a written statement on Monday, August 5, 2019.

Moreover, Roy highlighted that the blackout happened at a time where people mostly spent their time at modern retailers or shopping centers.

"The potential losses are clearly evident since many people postponed their plan to go shopping," he said.

This excludes the operational costs faced by businesses that had to operate electrical generators powered by diesel fuel in order to continue operations. He added that PLN should have prepared a contingency plan because the company is the only electricity provider for Indonesia.

MUHAMMAD HENDARTYO