Traditional markets meet needs of rich and poor<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Take your pick and shop at either traditional
\nmarkets, which are widely considered unhygienic, or at air-
\nconditioned supermarkets; or have the groceries delivered to your
\ndoor. Some city residents share their preferences here:<\/p>\n
Miranda Gultom, a director at Bank Indonesia: I haven't been
\nto the market for quite a long time because I've been very
\nbusy... So it's the maid who goes to the market, usually once a
\nweek. She might go to the local traditional market, but only to
\nbuy certain essentials. I guess she picks the traditional market
\nbecause it's more convenient for her.<\/p>\n
Zumrotin K. Soesilo, executive director of the Indonesian
\nConsumers Foundation (YLKI): I go to Jatinegara or Cipinang
\ntraditional markets in East Jakarta to buy foodstuffs. The only
\nreason is that as an activist, I should have a commitment and be
\nconsistent with what I've criticized.<\/p>\n
When supermarkets were mushrooming in the 1980s, the (Jakarta
\nmunicipality) made a regulation that they should not open before
\n10 a.m., and should be at least 500 meters away from traditional
\nmarkets. The rule also said supermarkets had to buy vegetables
\nand fruits from small-scale traders.<\/p>\n
The fact is, they violated the regulation. YLKI has criticized
\nthis many times but without result. ...As an individual, I must
\ntake sides. So I refuse to buy foodstuffs at places which violate
\nthe rule.<\/p>\n
Maria Saroinsong, supplier of homemade snacks at the House of
\nRepresentatives: I always go to a traditional market because its
\ncheaper and the goods are much fresher than those in a
\nsupermarket. The distance (from where I live) to the traditional
\nmarket is also much shorter. I don't mind the crowded condition
\nof the market, as long as I can have a better quality of
\nvegetables, fruits and fish at cheaper prices.<\/p>\n
Ida Mawaddah Noor, a city councilor: Why should I buy
\ngroceries at a supermarket? Prices at traditional markets are
\nlower and the food is fresher.<\/p>\n
Shopping at traditional markets doesn't take me much time as I
\nam a regular customer at certain stalls for certain foods.<\/p>\n
But I do rely on supermarkets to buy cosmetics, sanitary
\nnapkins, etc., as they are more easily found there than at
\ntraditional markets.<\/p>\n
Indah Lindawati, employee of a private company: Since Hero and
\nGolden Truly supermarkets in Central Jakarta were ransacked in
\nlast month's riots I felt I had no other choice but to buy
\nfoodstuffs at the nearby Cikini market. It's less than a 10-
\nminute walk from my house.<\/p>\n
But shopping there is time-consuming as foodstuffs are not
\narranged in groups like at supermarkets.<\/p>\n
Moreover, it's difficult to find traditional markets which
\nopen until late at night because I can only shop after I finish
\nwork at about 9 p.m. Thank God the riots are over and the
\nsupermarket near my house has reopened.<\/p>\n
Susy, an elementary school teacher in Depok: I used to go to
\nGolden Truly supermarket to shop every month. But since February
\nI have decided to buy almost all of my family's needs in the
\ntraditional markets. It's cheaper there.
\nThe quality, I think, is not so much different from the
\nsupermarkets. The riots which destroyed many supermarket
\nbuildings last month also contributed to my decision.<\/p>\n
But it takes me a longer time to shop there. I have to
\nbargain. If we are smart enough in bargaining we can buy things
\ncheaper, occasionally much cheaper. This is something we cannot
\nfind in the supermarkets.<\/p>\n
Uly S., a housewife in Pamulang, Tangerang, West Java:<\/p>\n
The riots last month stopped the business operations of all
\nsupermarkets in Pamulang. One was destroyed by fire. So we have
\nhad to buy daily needs at traditional markets.<\/p>\n
The supermarkets have resumed their operations, although they
\ndo not have complete stock. ...I go to the traditional markets
\nto buy them.<\/p>\n
I think I will have to rely on the traditional markets for
\nshopping during the crisis. That's the only way I can make my
\nhusband's monthly salary last for one month.<\/p>\n
Dhany Meisa, 28, an employee at PT Tri Citra Karya, a
\nsubsidiary of PT Bimantara Automotive: I found it relatively more
\ndifficult getting basic essentials in the first two weeks after
\nthe May 14 riots.<\/p>\n
Essentials which I usually found at cheap prices at the
\ntraditional market near where I live (Kayuringin, south Bekasi)
\nsuddenly soared in price and there was far less of a variety.<\/p>\n
I sometimes cook for myself or buy ready-to-eat food if
\nessentials are not available at the market.<\/p>\n
So, when the nearby Hero supermarket was closed (due to the
\nriots) I found the riots had affected me but not too much.<\/p>\n
But many of my colleagues with families have complained that
\nfinding essentials now is no longer as easy as it was before the
\nriots. (team)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/traditional-markets-meet-needs-of-rich-and-poor-1447893297",
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