Negotiations between vendors, management deadlocked<\/p>\n
Bambang Nurbianto
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The meeting between the Tanah Abang market vendors and city
\nmarket operator PD Pasar Jaya had to be adjourned until Friday
\nafter a deadlock with both parties insisting that they would not
\nbudge from their stances.<\/p>\n
"We will never reach any agreement if the city administration
\nsays the demolition of the market is final, while we reject that.
\nWe ended the meeting and now want to speak directly with Governor
\nSutiyoso," said Sofyan Mas'ud, who represents the vendors from
\nBlocks B, C, D and E.<\/p>\n
He denied that the traders had asked for a delay of the
\nreconstruction plan until after Idul Fitri holidays (Nov. 16). He
\nsaid the proposal just for a postponement was put forth by the
\ngroup of street vendors that work outside the market.<\/p>\n
Another trader, Lukman, said that the main reason for opposing
\nthe reconstruction was because they would not be able to afford
\nkiosks in the new market, which will be built by developer PT
\nSari Kebon Jeruk Permai.<\/p>\n
"I don't think many of us will be buying the new kiosks. Each
\nkiosk is offered at Rp 100 million (US$10,870). If the city
\ndemolishes Tanah Abang, it essentially evicts us from this
\nmarket," he said.<\/p>\n
PD Pasar Jaya president-director Prabowo Soenirman reiterated
\nthat the buildings, constructed almost 30 years ago, would only
\nlast two more years in their current condition.<\/p>\n
"As the owner of the market, the administration is responsible
\nfor any possible collapse of the buildings," he said, adding that
\nhe could be sentenced to five years imprisonment if he allowed
\ntraders to run their businesses there.<\/p>\n
If there is still no agreement between the two parties,
\nPrabowo insisted that the administration would go ahead with the
\nreconstruction plan. He added that he did not need the City
\nCouncil's approval for the project.<\/p>\n
"Don't blame us if the demolition goes ahead without your
\nagreement. Today is our first official announcement to you."<\/p>\n
Prabowo also refused to assist the traders in their hoped for
\nmeeting with Sutiyoso. Instead, he rescheduled another meeting
\nwith them on Friday.<\/p>\n
Last Thursday, Tanah Abang traders closed down their shops for
\na massive protest opposing the reconstruction plan. PD Pasar Jaya
\nhad offered a delay of the reconstruction until February 2005 to
\nallow traders to do business during the three major holidays --
\nIdul Fitri, Christmas and New Year.<\/p>\n
However, traders insisted that the reconstruction should only
\nstart after the renovation project of the market's Block A
\nfinishes in the next two years. Block A is under renovation after
\nit was gutted by fire in February 2003.<\/p>\n
The appointed developer PT Sari Kebon Jeruk Permai was
\nrequired to provide a temporary market, equipped with elevators
\nand air-conditioning, in three alternative sites: over the Krukut
\nRiver, in Kebon Jati market and near Block A.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/negotiations-between-vendors-management-deadlocked-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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