Glodok electronic traders move to Mangga Dua Mall

JAKARTA (JP): More than 300 traders specializing in computer, video and digital compact disc equipment have moved to Mangga Dua Mall from the old Glodok electronics center, which was destroyed in last month's riot.

Tamsil, one of the traders, said yesterday that the decision to move to Mangga Dua Mall was taken because it was well-known as an emerging business site and was easy for their regular customers to reach.

"Now we'll start from zero again. Most of us lost all our belongings (in the riots), but we have to continue our lives," said Tamsil, who claimed to have suffered losses amounting to hundreds of millions of rupiah when his digital video disc outlet at Plaza Glodok was looted and set ablaze.

During the May 13 to May 15 riots, buildings in the busy Glodok business district and thousands of other buildings throughout the city and surrounding areas were set on fire by mobs.

The looters took as much merchandise as they could before setting fire to the buildings.

The mobs not only looted and vandalized property, they also reportedly raped and sexually abused women and girls.

Tamsil said most Glodok traders, who lost most of their merchandise in the riots, resumed business by selling the products not taken by looters.

"We can't wait for bank loans any longer or insurance payments, which until now are still unclear," he said.

Another trader, Mice Junaidi, said the decision to move was based on the fact that Mangga Dua Mall was one of only a few shopping centers in the city which was untouched by the rioters.

"What we want now is a safe place to do business," said Mice, who also claimed to have suffered hundreds of millions of rupiah in damage after his two video compact disc outlets in Glodok Jaya were destroyed.

The traders have urged the government to improve security, saying hardly any security officers of either the military or police were seen in the Glodok area when the looting and burning took place.

The traders promised yesterday to keep their prices as low as possible like they did in Glodok, which was known for reasonable prices.

The Mangga Dua Mall developer -- publicly listed PT Duta Pertiwi -- has given traders who fell victim to the riots special rental rates, Mice said.

Duta Pertiwi's marketing manager, Iskandar Chunady, explained that his company offered riot victims a rental rate in rupiah instead of dollars.

"The rent is much cheaper than at Glodok Plaza," Iskandar said.

He said rental rates at Mangga Dua Mall were set at Rp 50,000 (US$3.30) a square meter per month, far below the $50 a square meter per month offered at Glodok Plaza.

Besides Mangga Dua Mall, traders have also moved to Dusit Arcade, which is next to the mall, he said.

The Dusit Arcade is designed to become a major computer center to replace the one in Glodok. It is scheduled to be inaugurated next week, he said. (jun)