QueenNews.co / BANDAR LAMPUNG — The rapid growth of modern shopping centers in Bandar Lampung is often seen as a driving force for the local economy. However, behind the bright supermarket lights and the hustle and bustle of consumers, major questions are being raised regarding big corporations' compliance with spatial planning regulations, environmental feasibility, and local tax obligations.
This week, sharp criticism has been directed at Chandra Superstore Antasari, one of the retail giant units under PT Sekawan Chandra Abadi (Chandra Group). The press network incorporated in the Indonesian Journalists Joint Secretariat (SWI) of Lampung Province is currently targeting a series of non-compliance indicators at the business location.
Unfortunately, preliminary investigations by journalists on the ground hit a bureaucratic wall as internal management appeared uncooperative.
Met with a Defensive Response
On Thursday afternoon (June 25, 2026), a team of journalists visited Chandra Superstore Antasari to submit an official Request for Clarification (Letter No. 081/SWI-LPG/VI/2026). The letter contained a series of crucial questions based on field data and regional regulations.
However, instead of meeting with managers authorized to provide statements, the field team faced a normative, defensive response. The management of the Antasari unit refused to provide written or verbal answers, passing the buck by directing the journalists to submit the letter and request confirmation directly to the central information department at Chandra Tanjung Karang, citing a centralized management policy.
This pattern of verbal refusal and delegation of authority has sparked suspicion among social control watchdogs of an attempt to cover up administrative irregularities.
A Call for Transparency
Responding to these dynamics, the Chairperson of the Regional Executive Board (DPW) of SWI Lampung, Melanniati, strongly condemned the retail management's uncooperative stance toward journalists.
"The press does not act without basis or mere assumption; we are exercising our social control function to test a large retail corporation's legal compliance with regional regulations. The 'one-door' or 'one-management' excuse must not be used as a stalling tactic or a shield to evade tax and spatial planning transparency," Melanniati asserted sharply.
She added, "If Chandra truly believes it has complied with all licensing and taxation regulations in Bandar Lampung, why act defensively? Information transparency proves that a business operates healthily and respects the public's right to know."
Six Crucial Points Under Scrutiny
Melanniati emphasized that SWI Lampung will closely monitor this investigation. A team of cyber and field investigators is currently dissecting at least six crucial points regarding Chandra Superstore Antasari's operations:
Building Approval (PBG) & Building Distance Limit (GSB): Additional structures, such as permanent hallways and canopies at the front of the building, are suspected of violating GSB regulations and utilizing public space or road shoulders.
Traffic Impact Assessment (Andalalin): Given that Antasari is a traffic congestion hotspot, the implementation and renewal of Chandra's Andalalin documents are being questioned.
Parking Tax & Retribution Mechanisms: Governance transparency of parking spaces and compliance with Parking Tax payments based on Bandar Lampung Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 1 of 2024.
Legality of Advertising Tax: The licensing status and active tax periods for all promotional media, billboards, and commercial banners around the supermarket area.
Ground water Exploitation: The use of large-scale deep wells (sumur bor), the verification function of water meters, and compliance with Groundwater Tax (PAT) obligations under Mayoral Regulation (Perwali) No. 5 of 2020.
Local Government Oversight Function: The extent to which oversight agencies have audited compliance, or whether there has been a tendency toward administrative neglect.
Escallating to the Attorney General's Office
Taking decisive action, SWI Lampung issued a "Volume II" Clarification Letter (No. 082/SWI-LPG/VI/2026) addressed directly to the Central Board of Directors of PT Sekawan Chandra Abadi in Tanjung Karang on Friday (June 26, 2026).
To reinforce the push for legal enforcement, this follow-up letter includes carbon copies (CC) to high-level cross-sectoral institutions. The copies were sent directly to the Mayor of Bandar Lampung, the Head of the Bandar Lampung District Attorney's Office (Kejari), relevant technical departments, and anti-corruption activist groups.
The involvement of the District Attorney's Office (Korps Adhyaksa) and anti-corruption activists is expected to shift the oversight dynamic. Private sectors suspected of exploiting public facilities and natural resources (such as groundwater) without valid tax compliance could potentially harm Regional Genuine Income (PAD), leading to serious legal violations.
As of the publication of this report, media outlets under SWI Lampung are still providing a reasonable window for the Central Management of Chandra Group to offer an official written clarification, fulfilling their right of reply in accordance with the Press Law No. 40 of 1999.
The public now waits: Will a local retail business giant as large as Chandra demonstrate good faith as a transparent corporate taxpayer? Or will management's silence prompt regional regulation enforcement officers (Satpol PP) alongside the District Attorney's Office to step in and conduct an open investigative audit? (Timel)
