Construction of escalators at Blok M delayed due to protest
Construction of escalators at Blok M delayed due to protest
JAKARTA (JP): The objection of small-scale traders has thrown
a wrench into the PD Pasar Jaya city market authority's approval
of the construction of two escalators outside the Blok M market
building in South Jakarta.
A shopping center official, who wanted to remain anonymous,
said yesterday the postponement is aimed at soothing the small-
scale traders who object to the construction of the escalators
which will bypass their business sites inside the building and
lead directly into the Matahari chain store on the second and
third floors of the structure.
In the meantime, the authority plans to discusses the matter
with the mayoralty, the city development supervision agency and
the police.
PD Pasar Jaya upset the traders recently when it approved the
construction plan that is to be financed by Matahari, a prominent
retail department store chain, which has a branch outlet on the
second and third floors of the building.
The traders believe that the new escalators will rob them of
their customers because people will be able to ride them straight
up to the department store.
The official said that the traders' anxiety was groundless
because the authority's approval was based on various
considerations, including the fact that the plan provides that
escalator will only go up, not down, and will stop at the first
floor, where the traders are.
The official also said that the authority had provided several
new access entrances to the building's ground floor, which are
expected to attract more visitors.
"We are fully aware of the traders' interests," the official
said.
Although the construction will be financed by Matahari, the
escalators will be put under PD Pasar Jaya's ownership, as soon
as their construction is completed.
However, up to yesterday the traders were continuing to oppose
the construction plan.
Last Friday, around 300 of them marched to the City Council to
stage a second protest against the plan. They were received by
the members of Commission B, which oversees trade affairs. The
meeting failed to yield any positive results.
The traders later accused the councilors of ignoring their
demands.
Friday's protest nearly developed into a fistfight when the
traders overheard an unpleasant remark made by a councilor from
the Armed Forces faction.
Terbit daily reported yesterday that the traders first
registered their objection to any plan to install escalators
three years ago.
The official said that the traders need to believe that the
escalators will also benefit them. (03)