It's our fault

It's our fault

From Jayakarta

Even as a sidewalk vendor myself, I sometimes have to agree
with the authority's stern measures taken against sidewalk
vendors who conduct business where they shouldn't. The government
employees who conduct raids on indisciplined vendors often
reflect an inhumane attitude. But, if I think more deeply about
it, I can understand why they act they way they do.

Many vendors sell their goods at inappropriate places like
pavements, on streets etc. which are for the use of pedestrians
and cars. They are not in the least concerned about the rights of
other road users. Traffic congestion is partly contributed to
these indifferent practices. Many people are surely not happy
with this situation.

Moreover, food and drink vendors are usually very negligent
about cleanliness. They do not put trash in rubbish bins but toss
it anywhere, leaving all pavements littered with the remains of
food and plastic bottles. This occurs in Kampung Melayu and
Otista areas, East Jakarta. They do not seem to realize that a
dirty environment will only discourage customers.

Therefore we cannot blame the authorities for being firm with
indisciplined sidewalk vendors. We should blame ourselves for
being so careless.

PAK DUKI

Jakarta