Cafes find spot along Kali Besar River

JAKARTA (JP): The city plans to refurbish areas along the Kali Besar River in Roa Malaka, West Jakarta, in an effort to provide more appropriate spaces for sidewalk cafes and food stalls that have been established throughout the capital over the past few months.

The head of the City Museum and Restoration Agency, Haswidi A. Taufik, said here yesterday that certain cafe and food stall owners currently operating in South Jakarta would be given priority to occupy the new sites along Jl. Kali Besar Barat and Jl. Kali Besar Timur.

"We hope their existence there will help revitalize the old days of Kota (the area's popular name) and become a new business center," Haswidi said.

Hundreds of cafes and food stalls, some run by artists and entertainment figures, recently set up near the Al-Azhar Grand Mosque and the Kebayoran Baru area in South Jakarta will be closed by local authorities due to complaints by surrounding neighborhoods.

Area residents believe the food businesses are tarnishing the their neighborhoods' image since some of the visitors refuse to respect the local environment. Traffic congestion was cited as another problem.

Some dining couples, for example, have been putting on public displays of affection while others have used the mosque grounds as a toilet, according to some complaints.

South Jakarta Mayor Pardjoko promised Wednesday he would relocate the stalls to other less crowded areas far from places of worship.

Haswidi yesterday said: "I have discussed the matter with Pardjoko and he welcomed the plan."

He said the new sites along the river could accommodate some 500 stalls.

The plan was inspired by food stall centers at Clarke Quay and Boat Quay on the Singapore River, he said.

"We are still discussing with other related institutions on how to provide electricity, clean water and sanitation services," Haswidi said.

He hoped the work would be accomplished in September and the area crowded with cafes, food stalls and customers shortly after.

The Kali Besar River flows to the Java Sea. Like many rivers in the capital, it is dirty and fetid.

The area designed to be the new site for sidewalk cafes and food stalls is generally empty at night since most of the old buildings there are unoccupied.

Haswidi said the administration hoped the cafes and food stalls along the river would help beautify the area.

When asked about the fees to be charged to the traders, Haswidi said his office had yet to discuss the matter.

"But of course, they should pay for things like electricity, clean water and sanitation."

He stressed that traders and customers would be prohibited from throwing rubbish into the river.

"We have discussed the matter with the city's public works agency. We want the river to flow smoothly and the area to look cleaner," he said. (ind)