Andre Rosiade Conducts Surprise Inspection at Padang Raya Market Phase VII, Traders Complain of Low Footfall and Illegal Levies

Deputy Chairman of House of Representatives Commission VI Andre Rosiade, together with members of the Gerindra Party faction in the Padang City Council (DPRD), conducted a surprise inspection at Phase VII of Padang Raya Market. During the visit, Andre identified two key problems: extremely low trading activity and suspected illegal levies at market facilities.

In a statement on Saturday (21/2/2026), Andre said he arrived at approximately 4pm local time and immediately walked through the market corridors, engaging traders in conversation. He noted that many traders reported their goods were not selling, with virtually no transactions taking place in recent days.

Andre said the situation had left traders worried about being unable to cover their living costs. Traders expressed hope that access routes to the market would be improved and promotional efforts stepped up to attract buyers back.

“Many traders here are complaining. There are no buyers, and some have not even recouped their capital since being relocated to Phase VII. We are asking the Padang city government to seriously seek solutions, from road access and parking to the arrangement of traders so that buyers can easily enter,” Andre said.

Beyond the lack of buyers, the chairman of the Gerindra Party’s West Sumatra provincial board also discovered levies being imposed on public facilities, particularly toilets. Visitors and traders were reportedly being charged between Rp 2,000 and Rp 3,000 to use public lavatories.

Andre pointed out that the market remains a central government asset and has not yet been handed over to the Padang city administration. He stressed that during this period, no levies of any kind should be imposed on traders or the public.

“Parking charges for cars and motorcycles were also found there. It is suspected that both the toilets and parking are controlled by certain individuals known as ‘tuan takur’ [local strongmen]. There are also allegations of buying and selling of shops and stalls. All of this has prevented Phase VII from functioning optimally since it was built a year ago,” he said.

Andre asked Rachmad Wijaya, the Gerindra faction’s chairman of Padang DPRD Commission II, to verify the legality of these levies. He stated that if no official regulations were in place, the charges constituted illegal levies.

“These are illegal levies if there are no regulations. Everything is still supposed to be free, both rent and facilities. Small traders must not be exploited at the very place where they earn their livelihood,” Andre said firmly.

Rachmad Wijaya confirmed that public toilet facilities at the market, which falls under the Padang City Trade Agency, should be free of charge. He explained that operational costs such as cleaning and security are already budgeted annually through the Padang city budget (APBD).

“We on the DPRD Budget Committee have checked the budget details. All market operational costs are covered. Therefore, no additional levies should be imposed on traders or visitors,” Rachmad said.

According to Rachmad, the policy of free public facilities at the market is intended to ease the burden on traders whilst simultaneously boosting the appeal of traditional markets. He urged the Trade Agency to take firm action and maintain strict oversight.

Andre, who was accompanied by Padang police personnel, also called on all parties who have been profiting from activities at Padang Raya Market to cease their illegal practices. He referenced an alleged extortion case and the buying and selling of stalls by individuals referred to as ‘tuan takur’, which is currently under police investigation.

“We do not want a people’s market built by the state with a large budget to become a breeding ground for illegal levies. The police are working on it. Anyone involved must be prepared to face the law,” Andre said.

Andre also asked the Padang City Trade Agency to be more transparent in managing Phase VII of Raya Market, including trader placement, market promotion and facility services. He argued that a modernised market such as Phase VII should become a new economic centre rather than a source of hardship for traders.

Andre expressed hope that the Padang city government would promptly take concrete steps to revitalise Phase VII, such as opening wider road access, reorganising trader zoning, providing feeder transport services and holding people’s market events to encourage the public to return to shopping at Padang Raya Market.

“Raya Market is the economic heart of Padang City. Traders must not be strangled by a lack of buyers and illegal levies. The government must be present, traders must be protected, and the market must be brought back to life,” he added.