Remember Tanah Abang<\/p>\n
The American invasion of Iraq has grabbed the attention of the
\nworld, including Indonesia. Television stations here have been
\nshowing images of people from all levels of society protesting
\nagainst the war.<\/p>\n
I think it would be good for the protesters also to raise the
\nissue of Tanah Abang, which was recently gutted by fire that was
\nallegedly set on purpose. This is important so that the Tanah
\nAbang market will remain in the hands of the people, and not in
\nthe hands of people like Tomy Winata.<\/p>\n
The Tanah Abang market has an annual turnover of Rp 15
\ntrillion, of which the Jakarta administration pockets some Rp 15
\nbillion in taxes.<\/p>\n
The fire damaged nearly half of the market's more than 7,000
\nkiosks and put 2,000 or so traders out of business.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta administration should have declared the Tanah
\nAbang fire to be a national tragedy and then taken the proper
\nsteps to help the vendors. The government channeled hundreds of
\ntrillion of rupiah through recapitalization programs to help
\ncorrupt tycoons and bank owners.<\/p>\n
If mass organizations and non-governmental organizations are
\nable to provide the funds and mobilize demonstrators to stage
\nrallies in front of the U.S. Embassy, they should also be able to
\ndo the same in front of the governor's office.<\/p>\n
Helping the vendors of Tanah Abang could be seen as being
\ncomparable with helping the oppressed.<\/p>\n
TONTOWY DJAUHARI HAMZAH
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/remember-tanah-abang-1447899208",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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