Traders rally against escalator installation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Around 100 traders at the city administration-
\nowned Melawai marketplace near Blok M bus terminal marched to
\ncity council on Monday to protest the ongoing construction of
\nescalators in the four-story market building.<\/p>\n
"The escalators will kill our business," said Dasril, a trader
\nwho acted as spokesman for the protesters.<\/p>\n
The protesters arrived at the council building in three
\nMetromini buses, unfurling banners reading, among other things,
\n"Protect us from the conglomerate, City Councilors."<\/p>\n
Several representatives of the protesters were received by the
\ncity council's commission B which oversees trade affairs.<\/p>\n
Dasril told the councilors that two escalators are under
\nconstruction outside the building leading to the second floor of
\nthe premises, where the Matahari department store occupies all
\nexcept the third floor.<\/p>\n
The basement and first floor of the marketplace are occupied
\nby some 800 small-scale traders.<\/p>\n
The protesters said that the escalators will prevent shoppers
\nfrom seeing goods displayed by the small-scale traders on the
\nfirst floor and basement of the building.<\/p>\n
"We smell something fishy since we believe the construction of
\nthe escalators by the (city-owned) PD Pasar Jaya is being carried
\nout at the request of Matahari. PD Pasar Jaya never bothered to
\nconsult us first about it," said Dasril.<\/p>\n
He said the traders had lodged a written protest with the
\nmanagement of PD Pasar Jaya, but that it fell on deaf ears since
\nthe management went ahead and constructed the escalators.<\/p>\n
"If our protest continues unheeded, I'm afraid to say that the
\ntraders will resort to violence. Therefore we beg you to help us
\nsettle he case," Dasril told the councilors.<\/p>\n
Dasril said there are already three escalators, two lifts and
\ntwo stairwells leading to the second floor inside the building.<\/p>\n
Amarullah Asbah from the Golkar faction said the commission
\nwould invite the management of PD Pasar Jaya to a hearing on the
\nmatter. Besides, they will also inspect the marketplace in the
\nnear future.<\/p>\n
Zarkasy Marzuki of the United Development Party (PPP) faction
\nbelieves the construction of the escalators is not the only
\nreason behind the traders' complaint.<\/p>\n
"We shall find out during the inspection whether there are
\nother reasons," said Zarkasy. (jsk)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/traders-rally-against-escalator-installation-1447893297",
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