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