Riots spark 'Reformasi' flea market<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The devastating May 1998 riots have generated
\none positive outcome, at least to small traders around Cengkareng
\nPlaza in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Located opposite the shopping center, the Reformasi flea
\nmarket was established following initiatives of local small
\ntraders three months after the riots rocked the capital.<\/p>\n
Named after the people's mammoth reform movement, the market
\nwas initially designed as an emergency trading site for goods,
\nmost of which were from nearby stores, including the Cengkareng
\nPlaza, which had been looted and set on fire.<\/p>\n
Vendors selling goods with scorch marks were a common sight in
\nthe first days of the market's operations.<\/p>\n
Thamrin, a vendor selling a variety of secondhand items,
\nrecalled that locals saved everything they could from the burning
\nstores and later offered the goods to traders at the Reformasi
\nflea market.<\/p>\n
\"Children often came here and sold looted merchandise to us.
\nThe goods were all brand new, though some of them had burn
\nmarks,\" Thamrin said.<\/p>\n
With trade in genuine secondhand items, business at the flea
\nmarket has flourished.<\/p>\n
When the comprehensively renovated Cengkareng Plaza reopened
\nlast week, traders and visitors continued to pack the flea
\nmarket.<\/p>\n
Regular visitors say the market offers a great range of goods
\nat reasonable prices.<\/p>\n
\"I regularly come here to shop for electronic products,\" said
\nNunung.<\/p>\n
\"The prices are quite fair,\" Andre, another visitor, said.<\/p>\n
The market is also popular for people who wish to sell their
\nunwanted items.<\/p>\n
Ibu (Mrs) Anro, who sells secondhand bicycles purchased from
\nmarket visitors, said her business was healthy.<\/p>\n
\"It's fairly good,\" she said.<\/p>\n
Jamal, a trader of electronic goods and machinery, said most
\nof the market vendors were laid off workers from factories and
\nbanks.<\/p>\n
\"We call it the Reformasi flea market since it came to life
\nduring the time (of the reform movement),\" Jamal said.<\/p>\n
The market, also dubbed the Cengkareng flea market, occupies
\nan empty piece of land.<\/p>\n
Some vendors said the site was formerly earmarked by the
\ngovernment for toll road works.<\/p>\n
Asked whether they worried that the city administration would
\none day demolish the unlicensed market and put them out of
\nbusiness, the vendors said they did not consider the option.<\/p>\n
\"I remember the government once encouraged people to utilize
\nunused land... and that's what we are doing,\" Thamrin said.<\/p>\n
Muhammad, a senior trader at the site, defended their status,
\nsaying that he and the other vendors had occupied an empty plot,
\nnot a park.<\/p>\n
Traders at Taman Puring flea market in Jakarta are currently
\nembroiled in a dispute with local administration officers. The
\nsite has been earmarked as part of the capital's green belt
\nproject, with vendors told to vacate the area.<\/p>\n
To open a small stand at the Reformasi flea market, vendors
\nhave to obtain \"permits\" from a local called Jun, a self-
\nappointed coordinator for the traders.<\/p>\n
Clothes vendor Lina said she had to spend Rp 300,000 (US$46)
\nto Jun for the privilege of her stand.<\/p>\n
In addition, each week she pays Rp 10,000 in storage fees.<\/p>\n
Vendors must also pay a daily fee of about Rp 1,300 for
\nvarious levies, including cleaning and security services.<\/p>\n
With the reopening of the plaza, vendors are hoping that
\nshopping center customers will bring their custom to the flea
\nmarket. (03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/riots-spark-reformasi-flea-market-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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