Ciledug traders reluctant to move to new market
Ciledug traders reluctant to move to new market
JAKARTA (JP): Hundreds of traders whose kiosks in Ciledug
market were burned during the May riots have refused to move to a
new market built nearby due to the high price of the kiosks
there.
"The kiosks cost Rp 34 million (US$3,090) each. That's too
expensive," one of the traders, who asked not to be named, said
on Friday, urging the market developer to lower the price.
The trader said most vendors preferred to erect makeshift
tents along Jl. Cokroaminoto to sell their merchandises rather
than move to the new market, which is located near the new but
still deserted Ciledug bus terminal.
"How can we sell our goods in the new market if the area is
empty of customers?" he said.
Asep, an official at the new terminal, said the crews of
public transportation vehicles were also reluctant to enter the
terminal due to an absence of passengers there.
"We hope the local coordinating agency of traffic affairs sets
the chaotic situation right as soon as possible," he said.
The new market was built by PT Dian Bermakna Utama at a cost
of Rp 12 billion. It is designed to accommodate 5,000 traders
whose kiosks near the Ciledug Plaza area were destroyed during
the May riots.
The market, recently inaugurated by Tangerang Mayor Djakaria
Machmud, covers 7,149 square meters and holds 105 kiosks, 105
small counters and 167 market stalls. It was built on a 23,199-
square-meter plot of land, where the new terminal and other
supporting facilities stand.
Wayan, a marketing executive of Dian Bermakna Utama, said the
traders' reluctance to move to the new market was possibly also
due to the operation of 42 illegal kiosks near the terminal.
"The local authorities have reportedly given several warnings
to the illegal kiosk owners to move away, but nothing has
happened," he said.
Djakaria had urged Dian Mermakna Utama recently to pay more
attention to victims of the May riots in order to coax them away
from doing business along Jl. Cokroaminoto.
Their presence along the street has caused heavy traffic jams
in the area, he said.
Djakaria urged the company to hold a meeting with
representatives of the traders to seek a more affordable price
for the kiosks.
A speedy relocation of the traders is expected to help
reinvigorate economic activities in the area, he said.
He said the Tangerang mayoralty had provided special
incentives for businesspeople to rebuild their burned
supermarkets, including an exemption of levy collections.
(41/hhr)