Celebrities, vendors to cooparate

JAKARTA (JP): A cooperative of street cafes run by celebrities agreed on Thursday to cooperate with traditional food traders in the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta to end fears they were muscling in on the latter's business.

The agreement is intended to silence complaints leveled at the 126 upmarket stalls, which are run by entertainers, students, representatives of non-governmental organizations, Abang and None (Mr. and Miss) Jakarta pageant winners and people recently laid off due to the economic crisis.

Ami Pramudhia, the chairman of the Monas cafe cooperatives, told a media briefing on Friday that the cafe organizers had agreed to pool business with the street vendors.

"Vendors who sell mineral water and bottled tea are invited to supply their goods to the cafes. Cafe owners will also help the vendors sell local cuisine such as chicken satay," he said.

Ami said that he would also help promote items sold by street vendors, such as belts, clothes and bags.

Cooperatives will also donate food to the families of the street vendors.

The cafes, inaugurated by Governor Sutiyoso last month, are located at the southern end of Monas Square. (ivy)