'City, businesses should give space for vendors'

The Jakarta Administration has long blamed street vendors for causing traffic jams and lending a shabby look to the city, and has frequently evicted them. Just recently, however, the officials admitted to their failure to accommodate the vendors due to financial constraints. The Jakarta Post asked some residents for their thoughts on the issue.

Dessy Mulasari, 27, is a runway model. She lives in a boarding house in Menteng, Central Jakarta:

Personally, I don't mind the presence of street vendors. I have nothing against them.

They are hard workers. They are struggling to earn an honest living in this capital, the same as the rest of us. I used to buy fruit, vegetables and knickknacks like hair accessories from street vendors.

But, yes, I'm slightly annoyed about how they take up too much public space for their business.

It is the city administration's responsibility to allocate a proper space for them and not to sideline their interests.

Many of us, especially those who live in upmarket South Jakarta where the social gap is glaringly wide, people see sidewalk vendors as second-class citizens. But in northern Jakarta, people respect street vendors whose business mentality is on the same professional level with shop owners: they give us the correct change and make sure we buy quality merchandise.

Herman, 30, is a researcher at a private university. He lives with his parents in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta:

The presence of street vendors in the capital should not be a problem, but it would be much better if they didn't have to occupy pedestrian walkways.

If people consider them as some kind of pest, then it is the responsibility of city- and company building management to provide space in their compound for vendors, especially those who sell food. It would be a great help for both vendors and occupants or employees of the buildings.

My father said people in Germany do this -- there are no sidewalk vendors, and small traders open shop inside buildings.

If we want to adopt this solution, however, no fees should be imposed on vendors. Otherwise, they will choose to remain on the street and become a major problem in Jakarta.

--The Jakarta Post