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.