Regulations confuse Ciputat traders<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Conflicting statements made by local authorities
\nin Ciputat, Tangerang, have confused traders whose kiosks were
\nravaged in a fire on Oct. 21.<\/p>\n
A total of 724 traders fear that their businesses, which were
\ndestroyed in the fire, will be threatened by the planned
\nconstruction of a mall. The traders have not officially been
\nbanned from rebuilding on the site.<\/p>\n
"We decided not to put up signs prohibiting rebuilding on the
\nsite," said Yayat Sudradjat, the district secretary, yesterday. A
\nbillboard bearing a picture of a mall and the name of a
\ndeveloper, PT Betania Sarana, was recently pulled down.<\/p>\n
District head M. Natsir earlier said that the billboard was
\nmisleading, that the new market will be a two-story "traditional
\nmarket." He said traders whose kiosks were destroyed by the fire
\nwill be given first priority in occupying the stalls to be built
\nin the market. An official who requested anonymity said the
\ndeveloper will still be PT Betania.<\/p>\n
"We were told that we can trade here for three months pending
\nan alternative adequate site," said a fish monger, Garni. However
\nthis runs counter to a statement made by officials who say they
\nwill ban rebuilding this week, while fencing off the market is
\nyet to be done.<\/p>\n
However, as of yesterday several kiosk owners were being
\nallowed to erect make-shift stalls. Land owners say they have not
\nbeen consulted on plans for the new building, and also were seen
\ndirecting stall constructions.<\/p>\n
Several meetings between authorities and traders have not as
\nyet reached an agreement for an alternative site for the traders,
\nexcept part of the crowded bus terminal.<\/p>\n
Ownership of the 1.5-hectare gutted site consists of 1,500
\nsquare meters under the ownership of the Tangerang regency, 4,000
\nsquare meters under private ownership and the rest belongs to the
\nCipayung village.<\/p>\n
The district officials denied reports that traders operating
\nin makeshift stalls have to pay Rp 1,200 daily in illegal fees.
\nTraders told The Jakarta Post yesterday that Rp 500 is paid
\nwithout receiving receipts while the rest are legal fees.<\/p>\n
"The local police who checked around the market have not found
\nany irregularities," Yayat said. He added that officials would
\nonly collect fees from traders on the sidewalks as rebuilding is
\nbanned.<\/p>\n
However, traders on the market site belonging to the regency
\nproduced receipts of daily fees for sanitation and security
\nservices paid to the Tangerang regency and Ciputat district,
\nwhich total Rp 700, which includes a Rp 200 parking fee. An extra
\nRp 500, for which traders get no receipt, is also for parking,
\ntraders said.<\/p>\n
"This area is usually for parking so since the fire we've paid
\nfor trading here," said Marnih, a vegetable trader. (anr)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/regulations-confuse-ciputat-traders-1447893297",
"image": ""
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