Warung Madura 24-Hour Shops in Bali Ignite Debate Over Local Business Regulations

The 24-hour operation of Warung Madura shops in Bali has prompted a response from the Ministry of Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM), urging the shop owners to adhere to local regulations on business hours. The secretary of Kemenkop UKM, Arif Rahman Hakim, cautioned the Warung Madura owners against staying open around the clock in regions that have specific operational hour rules for businesses.

The issue has come to the forefront in Klungkung and Denpasar, where Warung Madura shops have been competing with local minimarkets. Dewa Putu Suwarbawa, head of the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) in Klungkung, stated that the region has a local regulation governing shop operating hours. Minimarket owners have filed complaints about the Warung Madura shops staying open 24/7, prompting the authorities to investigate the matter.

Why this matters: The debate over Warung Madura's 24-hour operations highlights the challenges of balancing local business regulations with the competitive landscape in Bali's retail sector. The outcome could have implications for small business owners and the enforcement of local laws governing commercial activities.

Two Warung Madura owners, Eka Fikriana in Denpasar and Siti Aisyah in Klungkung, shared their experiences running the shops. They reported generating high revenues, especially from selling cigarettes, soft drinks, and alcohol late at night. However, both expressed concerns about the potential impact of complying with the local government's calls for regulating their operating hours.

Arif Rahman Hakim from the Ministry of Cooperatives and UKM emphasized that if local regulations are in place regarding business hours, they must be followed. While refraining from directly commenting on the competition between minimarkets and Warung Madura, Hakim expressed hope for fair and equal competition among the businesses.

In Denpasar, the Penatih Village Head, I Wayan Murda, has requested that Warung Madura shops in his area not operate 24 hours due to concerns over unrecorded changes in shop employees and population administration. Klungkung's Satpol PP head, Dewa Putu Suwarbawa, confirmed that Regional Regulation No. 13 of 2018 governs the operating hours of stores in the region known as Gumi Seromboton. Suwarbawa stated that field checks will be conducted to ensure the Warung Madura shops are operating with the necessary permits and complying with the regulations.

Key Takeaways

• Kemenkop UKM urges Warung Madura shops in Bali to adhere to local business hour regulations.
• Warung Madura shops compete with local minimarkets, prompting complaints over 24/7 operations.
• Warung Madura owners report high revenues, but express concerns over complying with regulations.
• Denpasar and Klungkung have local regulations governing store operating hours, which will be enforced.
• The debate highlights the challenges of balancing local regulations and business competitiveness in Bali.