300 kiosks face demolition

AMBON, Maluku: Some 300 makeshift kiosk owners are worried they will lose their livelihoods because authorities have threatened to demolish their shops.

None of the new kiosks in the Batu Merah shopping complex have building permits, Antara reported yesterday.

Most owners were previously street vendors forced out of Mardika shopping center by the authorities early this month. They said they spent about Rp 100,000 (US$45) for a kiosk.

Mayor Christ Tanasale promised the kiosk owners a new site near the present site. He urged owners to be prepared to demolish their own kiosks before moving to the new site that should be ready early next month.

The kiosk owners told the mayor that a local municipality official had given them permits to do business at their present site.

The mayor said he would look into the matter. (08)