Governor asks vendors to keep public order

Governor asks vendors to keep public order

JAKARTA (JP): Governor Sutiyoso called for self-restraint on
the part of public order officers and sidewalk vendors yesterday,
following Monday's clash between the groups in Blok M, South
Jakarta.

Temperance is vital if undesirable consequences are to be
avoided, he said.

"The country is facing enough hardships, don't create new
problems."

Sutiyoso said he had ordered his staff to avoid physical
confrontations with vendors.

"Mutual understanding is needed between the officers and
vendors."

On Monday, the officers ordered vendors, who operate along Jl.
Falatehan -- in front of the state-owned securities paper and
bank note printing company (Peruri) office -- to relocate.

But the vendors were offended by the way the officers
conducted their routine operation. The officers were reportedly
rude and inhumane.

The vendors attacked the officers and pelted two patrol cars
belonging to the South Jakarta mayoralty.

Police reportedly fired warning shots to stop the commotion,
which began about 8 a.m.

The incident is now being handled by Kebayoran Baru Police
precinct in South Jakarta.

Sutiyoso acknowledged that the Peruri complex should be secure
at all times and sidewalk vendors were prohibited from operating
and displaying their merchandise there.

"They should not have sold their merchandise there as they can
use the site in the Blok M market."

An official from the public order office, Toha Reno, said
yesterday the clash was due to a misunderstanding.

"It's our job to organize sidewalks vendors... There must
have been some people who eventually became hostile when we tried
to move them away from the road.

"We'll just try to handle this thing carefully because in this
difficult (economic) situation, people's emotions tend to run
high," he said. (edt/ind/emf)