Pasar Jaya parking policy under fire<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): PD Pasar Jaya, the city-owned company which
\noversees the capital's markets, announced it had introduced a
\nparking policy designed to boost revenue on April 1, despite
\nstrong opposition from the City Council.<\/p>\n
Councilors have demanded that the company scrap the policy
\nbecause it was introduced without the governor's approval. They
\nsay the policy \"burdens the people hardest hit by the economic
\ncrisis\".<\/p>\n
Under the new policy, motorists will be charged for a minimum
\ntwo hour stay, a fee of Rp 1,000 and double what they used to
\nhave to pay for a minimum one hour stay. Subsequent hourly fees
\nremain at Rp 500.<\/p>\n
For motorcycles, the minimum parking period also rose from one
\nhour to two hours and the tariff increased from Rp 200 to Rp 500.
\nSubsequent hourly fees remain Rp 200.<\/p>\n
Pasar Jaya spokesman Lihardin Sipayung said the increase in
\nparking fees was designed to boost the company's income and allow
\nit to meet new statutory value-added tax obligations in 1998.<\/p>\n
\"We increased parking tariffs so that company revenue will not
\ndrop after we pay value-added tax,\" Sipayung said.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, soaring prices have increased the company's
\noperating costs.\"<\/p>\n
Sipayung said the company announced the move on March 25.<\/p>\n
He said that the policy had been implemented at major markets,
\nincluding Tanah Abang, Senen, Bendungan Hilir and Cikini in
\nCentral Jakarta; Tebet Barat, Cipulir, Cipete and Blok A in South
\nJakarta; and Koja Baru and Sunter Podomoro in North Jakarta.<\/p>\n
West Jakarta markets affected include Hayam Wuruk Indah,
\nTomang Barat, Grogol and Glodok. In East Jakarta the ruling
\napplies to markets in Jatinegara, Rawa Bening, Kramat Jati, Sunan
\nGiri, Pramuka and Klender.<\/p>\n
Head of City Council Commission D for development affairs, Ali
\nWongso Sinaga, said that Pasar Jaya should have sought the
\napproval of the governor before increasing parking charges.<\/p>\n
\"The fees should have been covered by a gubernatorial decree,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Sinaga also said he had told PD Pasar Jaya chairman Albert
\nNapitupulu to scrap the decree.<\/p>\n
\"I urged the chairman to seek approval from the governor,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Djafar Badjeber, head of Commission B for economic affairs,
\nshared Ali's opinion. He said the company should have not added a
\nnew burden to people who were bearing the brunt of the economic
\ncrisis.<\/p>\n
\"I hope Pasar Jaya will cancel the decree. They should have
\nremembered that most shoppers at traditional markets come from
\nlower income groups,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Napitupulu declined to comment on the controversy.
\n(ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pasar-jaya-parking-policy-under-fire-1447893297",
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