Traders lament Adipura award tactics<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Traders in Tanah Abang market, Central Jakarta,
\nhave complained about the clean-up operation conducted by the
\nlocal authorities, saying that the yearly pursuit of the
\ncontested city development trophy has caused them suffering.<\/p>\n
\"It is always the same, every year,\" trader Mahdi said, \"We
\nplay a cat and mouse game. Once the security officers disappear
\nthe traders who have been chased out return to the lots.\"<\/p>\n
The trophy, known as the Adipura Award, is presented every
\nJune to the city judged the cleanest and most orderly. Central
\nJakarta has received four trophies in the past four years, while
\neach of the four other mayoralties of the capital city have only
\nreceived one each.<\/p>\n
Head of the clean-up operation Basirun S. said that this year
\naround 150 security personnel, including police officers, were
\nmobilized daily in the last two weeks.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of illegal traders, prostitutes and homeless people
\nhave been chased or taken away, he said.<\/p>\n
The one-kilometer road in Tanah Abang market has been narrowed
\nby the traders selling their wares on the sidewalks and road,
\ncausing heavy traffic jams in the area, which is a transit area
\nfor public transportation vehicles.<\/p>\n
\"I think the authorities should relocate us instead of just
\nchasing us away,\" retailer Sahroni said.<\/p>\n
He said that since he had been there for more than 10 years,
\nhe knew the whereabouts of local traders, whom he supplies with
\ngoods.<\/p>\n
Usually, traders will come back about three months after the
\noperation, he said.<\/p>\n
\"In the meantime, some of them try to sell their goods in
\nfront of factories, some return to their hometowns, but quite a
\nlot become pickpockets or thieves to survive,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that most local traders were not citizens of Jakarta.
\n\"They come from various regions to make a better life here.\"<\/p>\n
Head of the clean-up operation, Basirun S. said that the local
\nauthorities have in fact provided the traders with hundreds of
\nkiosks on the second and third floors of nearby Kebon Jati market
\nbuilding.<\/p>\n
\"They refuse to be relocated there because their clients are
\nunwilling to go there,\" he said.<\/p>\n
A report by the market management says that many traders have
\nabandoned their kiosks, and are not paying the installments on
\nbank loans.<\/p>\n
Central Jakarta mayor Abdul Kahfi denied yesterday that the
\nclean-up, which he claimed costs up to Rp 2 million ($899) per
\nday, is carried out only to get the development trophy.<\/p>\n
\"This operation is here to stay,\" he said, adding that he
\nplans to tap the private sector for funding.(03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/traders-lament-adipura-award-tactics-1447893297",
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