Glodok electronic traders move to Mangga Dua Mall<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 traders specializing in computer,
\nvideo and digital compact disc equipment have moved to Mangga Dua
\nMall from the old Glodok electronics center, which was destroyed
\nin last month's riot.<\/p>\n
Tamsil, one of the traders, said yesterday that the decision
\nto move to Mangga Dua Mall was taken because it was well-known as
\nan emerging business site and was easy for their regular
\ncustomers to reach.<\/p>\n
\"Now we'll start from zero again. Most of us lost all our
\nbelongings (in the riots), but we have to continue our lives,\"
\nsaid Tamsil, who claimed to have suffered losses amounting to
\nhundreds of millions of rupiah when his digital video disc outlet
\nat Plaza Glodok was looted and set ablaze.<\/p>\n
During the May 13 to May 15 riots, buildings in the busy
\nGlodok business district and thousands of other buildings
\nthroughout the city and surrounding areas were set on fire by
\nmobs.<\/p>\n
The looters took as much merchandise as they could before
\nsetting fire to the buildings.<\/p>\n
The mobs not only looted and vandalized property, they also
\nreportedly raped and sexually abused women and girls.<\/p>\n
Tamsil said most Glodok traders, who lost most of their
\nmerchandise in the riots, resumed business by selling the
\nproducts not taken by looters.<\/p>\n
\"We can't wait for bank loans any longer or insurance
\npayments, which until now are still unclear,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Another trader, Mice Junaidi, said the decision to move was
\nbased on the fact that Mangga Dua Mall was one of only a few
\nshopping centers in the city which was untouched by the rioters.<\/p>\n
\"What we want now is a safe place to do business,\" said Mice,
\nwho also claimed to have suffered hundreds of millions of rupiah
\nin damage after his two video compact disc outlets in Glodok Jaya
\nwere destroyed.<\/p>\n
The traders have urged the government to improve security,
\nsaying hardly any security officers of either the military or
\npolice were seen in the Glodok area when the looting and burning
\ntook place.<\/p>\n
The traders promised yesterday to keep their prices as low as
\npossible like they did in Glodok, which was known for reasonable
\nprices.<\/p>\n
The Mangga Dua Mall developer -- publicly listed PT Duta
\nPertiwi -- has given traders who fell victim to the riots special
\nrental rates, Mice said.<\/p>\n
Duta Pertiwi's marketing manager, Iskandar Chunady, explained
\nthat his company offered riot victims a rental rate in rupiah
\ninstead of dollars.<\/p>\n
\"The rent is much cheaper than at Glodok Plaza,\" Iskandar
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said rental rates at Mangga Dua Mall were set at Rp 50,000
\n(US$3.30) a square meter per month, far below the $50 a square
\nmeter per month offered at Glodok Plaza.<\/p>\n
Besides Mangga Dua Mall, traders have also moved to Dusit
\nArcade, which is next to the mall, he said.<\/p>\n
The Dusit Arcade is designed to become a major computer center
\nto replace the one in Glodok. It is scheduled to be inaugurated
\nnext week, he said. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/glodok-electronic-traders-move-to-mangga-dua-mall-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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