Malls Closed During Eid Al Fitr, Aprindo: Arrogant, Too Sudden

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Businesses criticized the policy of several regional governments restricting the opening and operation of shopping centers, malls, and retail stores during the Eid Al Fitr holiday.

Pekanbaru and Banjarbaru shut down malls and retail stores abruptly before D-3 of Eid Al Fitr. In addition to the two cities, Balikpapan and other regions have previously restrict operations of malls and retail stores.

Chairman of the Indonesian Modern Retail Businesses Association (Aprindo) Roy N. Mandey, asserted that the circular letter issued by a number of regional heads from May 11 to May 16, 2021, was very detrimental.

The retail businesses, according to Roy, will suffer significant losses because they will lose sales and some supplies may be damaged overtime. Moreover, the supplies were prepared long before Eid Al Fitr to fulfill public demand and guarantee a stable price.

"Circular Letter on the closing of malls and retail stoes is the practice of arrogance of Regional Heads because it was issued in all of a sudden, without involving us the representative and businesses to find a solution," Roy said in a written statement on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.

Businesses, Roy said, is being harmed because previously they have provided supplies to stabilize prices, but because of the sudden closing of malls, goods will be damaged. "Especially fresh commodities such as vegetables, fruits, meats, fishes, food and beverages of the stores need to be closed suddenly, without proper preparation," Roy said.

CAESAR AKBAR