City to protect `Kenari' traders

JAKARTA (JP): City Councilors has assured traders of electronic equipment at the Kenari market on Jl. Salemba Raya, Central Jakarta, that the construction of a new four-story commercial building adjacent to the market will not affect their business.

"The city has ruled that the stores in the new building could not sell the same merchandise already available at Kenari market," said Abdulgani H. Abdullah, the Chairman of the City Council's Commision D which oversees the city's economic affairs

He made the statement during his visit to the market on Thursday

Tens of the Kenari traders came to the city council last month to protest the ongoing construction of the new building which they believed would affect their business and create an unfair business competition.

Abdulgani said that the presence of Kenari market traders is very important for the city administration because it is one of the major contributors to the city revenues.

Parluhutan Hasibuan, the head of Kenari market, said that the city received around Rp 30 million (US$13,742) per month from the market's taxes and levies.

The new building is owned by Perum Pegadaian, a state-owned pawn shop and is now being constructed by PT Yakin Maju, a private developer company.

Abdulgani also said that the plan of Perum Pegadaian to name the building "Pasar Kenari Baru Electronic Mart" should also be reviewed since it will not sell electronic items.(mas)