Cipulir Market Empty as Customers Disappear, Vendors' Surprising Admissions

Cipulir Market in South Jakarta is now deserted, with customers disappearing one by one. Vendors began noticing its decline only after the Covid-19 pandemic. However, some have chosen to stay, citing survival needs despite the market’s emptiness and frequent flooding during rains.

Among them is Susi, a vendor of men’s shorts, who says she stays due to financial necessity despite dwindling sales. ‘The reason I stay is to make ends meet. If I stop selling here, what will I live on? Sales aren’t as good as before; what sells today might not tomorrow, but we still want to hold on,’ she said during an interview with CNBC Indonesia on Friday, May 29, 2026.

Susi complained of a drastic drop in sales, with items not selling consistently each day. In recent days, her shorts have sold only a few pieces. ‘From Monday, nothing sold; Tuesday, one pair; Wednesday, none; Thursday, just two pairs,’ she explained.

She hopes the government will pay more attention to Cipulir Market to restore its former vibrancy. ‘The Jakarta Regional Government did visit, but only for a routine check with no impact on customer numbers. We hope our plight gets more attention,’ she added.

Meanwhile, Firman, a vendor of men’s trousers, also remains due to financial necessity despite a sharp decline in customers. ‘Customers still come, but numbers have plummeted. Previously, I could sell at least five dozen a day; now, selling a few pairs is thank goodness. I have to stay because this is my only means of supporting my family,’ he said.

Firman hopes the worsening state of Cipulir Market receives greater government attention, particularly from Jakarta’s administration. ‘We hope for more attention to our situation, especially as prices rise and our income has drastically fallen. How can we eat if this continues?’ he said.