Tanah Abang vendors to relocate again<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The city administration has given sidewalk
\nvendors in streets around the Tanah Abang market, in Central
\nJakarta, their marching orders because their presence is causing
\nintolerable traffic congestion.<\/p>\n
\"The vendors will have until the end of the Idul Fitri
\ncelebration in January to prepare themselves for the relocation,\"
\nCentral Jakarta Mayor Andi Subur Abdullah said on Tuesday when he
\nreported to Governor Sutiyoso about the condition of the
\nmayoralty.<\/p>\n
\"The city can no longer tolerate the vendors' existence
\nbecause they occupy about 80 percent of streets in Tanah Abang,\"
\nAndi said. \"Their activities, which violate the use of streets as
\npublic facilities, cause heavy traffic jams around the area.\"<\/p>\n
Andi said if the vendors refuse to move, his public order
\nofficers will have no choice but to use \"more coercive\" measures
\nto evict them.<\/p>\n
\"We feel sorry for the vendors because they are only trying to
\nmake a living. But their presence is a burden to the city, which
\nalready has problems ranging from traffic jams to crime. That's
\nwhy they have to be moved away.\"<\/p>\n
He said his office was planning to offer the vendors the free
\nuse of a 4,000-square-meter plot of land in the Tanah Abang
\nsubdistrict, which will be converted into a new market.<\/p>\n
\"But the city's budget cannot afford it now because of the
\ncurrent monetary crisis,\" he said, adding that a fund of about Rp
\n10 billion (US$2.74 million) was needed to clear the new site.<\/p>\n
The Tanah Abang sidewalk vendors have been repeatedly
\nrelocated. Only a few months ago they were moved to the Kebon
\nJati market near Tanah Abang.<\/p>\n
But they moved back to their old location because they
\nconsidered the site to be too small. Moreover, they were
\nconcerned about losing their regular customers.<\/p>\n
\"Currently, there are 1,375 listed vendors operating in the
\nTanah Abang streets. But a proper count, I think, would be triple
\nthat number,\" Andi said.<\/p>\n
Responding to the mayor's report, Governor Sutiyoso said one
\nof the reasons the vendors wanted to stay at their present
\nlocation was because they believe they have paid their dues.<\/p>\n
\"The vendors have spent a lot of money paying illegal levies
\nto certain officials or hoodlums,\" the governor said. \"They end
\nup earning a small income and can't afford to rent a decent
\nkiosk.<\/p>\n
\"Moreover, because they regularly pay these levies, they think
\nthey have a right to stay there.\"<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso ordered the mayor to conduct a survey which would
\nrecommend a suitable relocation site for the vendors.<\/p>\n
\"The vendors must have a decent place to earn their living. If
\nthey want to trade, for example, in Senayan's eastern parking
\nlot, I will give the idea serious thought.<\/p>\n
\"I will gladly provide them with a new place to trade, under
\nthe condition that there are integrated systems to ensure it
\nremains a clean and safe environment.\"<\/p>\n
Sidewalk vendors in Tanah Abang are reportedly obliged to pay
\ndaily levies, ranging from Rp 500 to Rp 2,000 per trader,
\ndepending on their merchandise and the amount of space they
\noccupy.<\/p>\n
They are also required to pay fees amounting to Rp 3,500 per
\nday: Rp 2,000 for the authorities in charge of the Tanah Abang
\nmarket, Rp 1,000 for sanitation and Rp 500 for security. (07)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tanah-abang-vendors-to-relocate-again-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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