Cempaka Putih market reopens for business
JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso inaugurated yesterday the resumption of business activities at Cempaka Putih market in Central Jakarta following its renovation after being destroyed in the May riots.
Sutiyoso said the city administration was prioritizing the renovation of destroyed markets to enable traders, especially small-scale ones, to earn a living again.
"Thanks to the renovation, small-scale traders are expected to be able to resume their business as usual. I have instructed executives of city-owned market management company PD Pasar Jaya not to burden traders," he said after the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by Minister of Social Services Justika S. Baharsjah.
The 10,000-square-meter market, which accommodates 1,072 kiosks, was one of the six most heavily damaged markets belonging to Pasar Jaya. Of the 152 markets managed by the company, 13 fell victim to looting and burning during the May 13 to May 15 riots.
The other five heavily damaged markets are Palmerah in Central Jakarta; Perniagaan and Glodok in West Jakarta and Cipete and Pasar Minggu in South Jakarta.
Pasar Jaya president Albert Napitupulu said the Cempaka Putih market was renovated at a cost of Rp 1.7 billion (US$147,000) with the company financing the whole project.
He said that for the renovation of the other five markets, the company was still waiting for Rp 6.8 billion from the central government.
Losses
The destruction of the markets during the riots caused Pasar Jaya to suffer losses of Rp 56 billion, he said.
The Cempaka Putih traders warmly welcomed the inauguration of the renovated market saying that it would help them get through the crisis.
Rus, a tailor, said that the renovation would enable her to earn a living again. "Since the destruction of my kiosk and all of the sewing machines I have been unemployed. So our family relied on my husband's salary as a shop attendant. His income is far from enough to support my family with three children."
She said that to reopen the business she was forced to borrow Rp 1.5 million and sewing machines from her relatives.
"I am optimistic that my business will steadily grow as I have loyal customers," she said.
Vegetable trader Wiyadi said he would sell his kiosk in the hope that the price would be much higher now that the market had been renovated.
"I no longer have any capital. I hope that the money from the kiosk sale will be enough for me to start up as a vegetable vendor," he said.
During the inauguration ceremony yesterday Minister Justika handed over Rp 1.3 billion to representatives of 2.391 traders whose kiosks in the six affected markets were destroyed.
Justika said she hoped the donation could be used as capital to help them resume their businesses. (ind)