Developer denies unfairness<\/p>\n
Leony Aurora, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Developer PT Jakarta Realty brushed aside suggestions its planned
\nJakarta City Center (JACC) wholesale complex would kill off other
\ntraditional and textile markets in the area.<\/p>\n
In a press conference on Wednesday, vice president director
\nRusdi Yusuf said the markets would operate in synergy and support
\nof each other.<\/p>\n
\"The JACC would be built to accommodate the high demand (of
\ntrade centers),\" Rusdi said.<\/p>\n
The developer's director, Frans Wirawan, added that the JACC
\ncomplex, to be built at a site that was formerly part of the
\nMelati dam in Central Jakarta, had been proposed because the
\ndeveloper saw the need for Tanah Abang vendors to expand their
\nbusinesses. \"But they cannot expand in Tanah Abang as it is
\nalready too crowded.\"<\/p>\n
The wholesale center, which would hold 10,000 kiosks, is less
\nthan one kilometer away from the Tanah Abang textile market,
\nwhich is one of the biggest textile markets in Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n
Rusdi said the developer, a consortium of city-owned developer
\nPT Jakarta Propertindo and private developer PT Agung Podomoro,
\nhad conducted a survey through an independent consultant to
\ndetermine the demand for more wholesale space.<\/p>\n
He also said international traders could benefit from the
\nJACC, which would have export and import facilities such as a
\ncustoms office, cargo expedition offices and warehouses.<\/p>\n
A 12-floor traders hotel, comprising 300 rooms and a
\nconvention center, would also be built within the complex.<\/p>\n
Controversy has surrounded the planned wholesale center as
\nTanah Abang textile traders say it will destroy their businesses.
\nLast week, some 300 vendors from the market organized a rally at
\nthe Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to demand the city retract the
\npermits for the planned wholesale complex.<\/p>\n
\"I am not convinced that the demonstrators were Tanah Abang
\ntraders,\" said Rusdi. \"They could have been hired men.\"<\/p>\n
Analysts point out the JACC would violate a city bylaw on
\nprivate markets and would also cover a water catchment area.<\/p>\n
Bylaw No. 2\/2002 stipulates that a private market occupying
\nmore than 4,000 square meters of land must be built at least 2.5
\nkilometers away from other traditional or community markets.<\/p>\n
Rusdi insisted the center would not violate the bylaw, citing
\nmarkets in Cililitan, East Jakarta, and in Mangga Dua, North
\nJakarta, as examples. These two areas have several traditional
\nand private markets within a short distance of each other.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration has responded to the controversy by
\nsaying it is considering amending the bylaw.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/developer-denies-unfairness-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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