Council to probe Tanah Abang project

Council to probe Tanah Abang project

Bambang Nurbianto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The inquiry team set up by the City Council will investigate
possible irregularities in the Jakarta administration's plan to
demolish the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta, amid the
strong opposition of traders.

"We want to look further into the plan. Therefore, our
investigation will focus on the durability of the market
buildings," chairman of the inquiry team Maringan Pangaribuan
said on Friday.

He told The Jakarta Post that the council was not convinced
that the research conducted by the Bandung Institute of
Technology (ITB) was the only reason why the market was to be
demolished.

"If the result of the study is the only reason, why did (city
market operator) PD Pasar Jaya discourage the traders from
seeking a second opinion," he remarked.

Therefore, he added, the team would investigate "other
factors" including possible collusion involving the relevant
officials and developers appointed to rebuild Blocks B, C, D, and
E of the Tanah Abang market.

Maringan, who is also the council's deputy speaker, has asked
the administration to delay its plan to demolish the four blocks
until his team completes its task.

The ITB team of experts in June recommended the demolition of
the largest textile market in Southeast Asia because, according
to them, the buildings constructed in the 1970s could no longer
support activities there.

PD Pasar Jaya and traders agreed to appoint the University of
Indonesia (UI) to conduct another study for a second opinion, but
later, PD Pasar director Prabowo Soenirman stressed that any
second opinion would not affect the original plan to demolish the
market and replace it with a modern shopping mall.

He announced that the demolition of the market would take
place in January.

PD Pasar has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with
developer PT Sari Kebon Jeruk Permai to rebuild the market.
Prabowo argued that the city-owned company does not need to seek
the approval of the council to carry out the project.

PD Pasar had also evicted about 3,000 street vendors from Jl.
Kebon Jati near Tanah Abang market and relocated them to the
Kebon Melati market, which is also known as Block G of the Tanah
Abang market.

PD Pasar spokesman Norman Adhi said his company did not oppose
the establishment of the council's inquiry team, but he stressed
the need for a fair investigation.

"The councilors should listen to information made by both
traders and officials of PD Pasar Jaya. We support their
investigation if it is conducted fairly," Adhi told the Post on
Thursday.

Maringan said the team would start the investigation next
week.