Developer denies unfairness

Developer denies unfairness

Leony Aurora, Jakarta

Developer PT Jakarta Realty brushed aside suggestions its planned
Jakarta City Center (JACC) wholesale complex would kill off other
traditional and textile markets in the area.

In a press conference on Wednesday, vice president director
Rusdi Yusuf said the markets would operate in synergy and support
of each other.

"The JACC would be built to accommodate the high demand (of
trade centers)," Rusdi said.

The developer's director, Frans Wirawan, added that the JACC
complex, to be built at a site that was formerly part of the
Melati dam in Central Jakarta, had been proposed because the
developer saw the need for Tanah Abang vendors to expand their
businesses. "But they cannot expand in Tanah Abang as it is
already too crowded."

The wholesale center, which would hold 10,000 kiosks, is less
than one kilometer away from the Tanah Abang textile market,
which is one of the biggest textile markets in Southeast Asia.

Rusdi said the developer, a consortium of city-owned developer
PT Jakarta Propertindo and private developer PT Agung Podomoro,
had conducted a survey through an independent consultant to
determine the demand for more wholesale space.

He also said international traders could benefit from the
JACC, which would have export and import facilities such as a
customs office, cargo expedition offices and warehouses.

A 12-floor traders hotel, comprising 300 rooms and a
convention center, would also be built within the complex.

Controversy has surrounded the planned wholesale center as
Tanah Abang textile traders say it will destroy their businesses.
Last week, some 300 vendors from the market organized a rally at
the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle to demand the city retract the
permits for the planned wholesale complex.

"I am not convinced that the demonstrators were Tanah Abang
traders," said Rusdi. "They could have been hired men."

Analysts point out the JACC would violate a city bylaw on
private markets and would also cover a water catchment area.

Bylaw No. 2/2002 stipulates that a private market occupying
more than 4,000 square meters of land must be built at least 2.5
kilometers away from other traditional or community markets.

Rusdi insisted the center would not violate the bylaw, citing
markets in Cililitan, East Jakarta, and in Mangga Dua, North
Jakarta, as examples. These two areas have several traditional
and private markets within a short distance of each other.

The Jakarta administration has responded to the controversy by
saying it is considering amending the bylaw.